BEIJING, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The foreign ministers of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) will discuss a meeting between the leaders of the three countries, a spokesman said on Friday.

"The foreign ministers will exchange views on a leaders' meeting," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said, adding that "right political atmosphere is needed for the summit."

The foreign ministers will meet in Seoul on Saturday, for the first time after a three-way meeting in April 2012.

"The historical issue, a major obstacle to the three countries' relationship in the past few years, is also a major reason for the suspension of high-level meetings," Hong said.

He called on the foreign ministers to have "candid exchanges" on historical issue to improve bilateral relations between relevant countries.