South Korea's foreign minister accused Japan of "throwing cold water" on their relationship as he prepared to summon Tokyo's ambassador in a new bid to force changes to controversial history books.

Foreign Minister Han Seung-Soo said he will order the ambassador, Terusake Terada, to his office on Monday to officially demand the correction of the books, which allegedly whitewash Japan's wartime atrocities.

Highlighting mounting South Korean fury over the books, Han said at the very time when ties are starting to boom, this is like throwing cold water on the emerging relationship.

He added: "Certainly, people's anger is very high."

South Korea has been at the forefront of Asian protests over the history school books which have emerged as one of the most pressing problems for the new Japanese government led by Jinichiro Koizumi.