South Korea will make various types of efforts in the coming year to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, Seoul's top diplomat said Wednesday.

Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se stressed the need to revive the six-party talks, which have been suspended for seven years, and use the mechanism in a "creative" way to change the course of the North.

He cited "various formats or methods" including trilateral meetings between South Korea and other regional powers such as the U.S., China, and Japan.

"I think there will be some progress early next year," Yun said at a forum hosted by a group of broadcast journalists.

He said that it is important to maintain coordination among the North's five dialogue partners in the six-way talks that also involve Russia.

On the issue of Korean women forced to serve as sex slaves for Japanese troops during World War II, the minister said the two sides will have to resolve it as early as possible.

Seoul and Tokyo have hit a "bottleneck" in their talks, but they are continuing efforts to make a "formula to reach a deal."

South Korea demands Japan's apology and compensation for the victims, widely called "comfort women."

He also voiced hope for a "wise" verdict by the Constitutional Court on a 1965 deal between South Korea and Japan.

The court plans to deliver a verdict later in the day on whether or not the bilateral Claims Settlement Agreement is constitutional.

Japan claims that the deal, signed to normalize their diplomatic relations, settled all issues of compensation to victims of forced labor during Japan's colonial rule of Korea from 1910-1945.

If the court rules that the agreement is unconstitutional, the South Korean government may have to re-negotiate with Japan about reparations for the victims.

"What's important is that the Constitutional Court will make a ruling independently. (I) expect a wise decision," he said.

The ruling is not just a domestic issue, as it will also affect international relations, he pointed out. (Yonhap)