UNITED NATIONS - The Republic of Korea (ROK) said Friday that a country with the dark side of its history must face up to its past wrongdoings, and this is conducive to "solid peace and stability to be established between nations."

The statement came as Kim Sung-Hwan, ROK's minister of foreign affairs and trade, was speaking at the General Debate of the 67th session of the UN General Assembly, which entered its fourth day Friday.

"It requires a sound historical consciousness and heartfelt soul-searching on any past wrongdoings in order for solid peace and stability to be established between nations," Kim said.

"A country's true valor is proven when it confronts the dark side of its history and endeavors to rectify past wrongdoings," he said.