South Korea puts China on notice over comments on Seoul-Washington ties

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) – South Korea on Friday summoned the Chinese envoy to Seoul over his recent remarks on relations between Seoul and Washington, calling it interference in internal affairs.

South Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin called in Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming and "sternly warned" against the envoy's "unreasonable and provocative" remarks, Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency reported, citing a Foreign Ministry’s statement.

A day earlier, the Chinese envoy during his meeting with the South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung expressed displeasure over Seoul’s diplomacy with the US and said Seoul-Beijing relations have recently faced "external challenges."

The envoy also called for South Korea's support of the "One China" principle, according to the agency.

Chang told the Chinese envoy that his remarks were in violation of the Vienna Convention and Seoul could see it as interference in its domestic politics.

Earlier, the country's Foreign Minister Park Jin also strongly reacted to the Chinese envoy’s comments and said he "went too far."

"There are diplomatic norms, and the role of an ambassador is to enhance friendship, not to spread misunderstandings," the agency quoted Park as saying.

- ‘UN Security Council paralyzed’

Commenting on the UN Security Council’s role in North Korea’s missile launches and threat to his country, Park said the council remains essentially paralyzed in terms of dealing with illegal provocations by North Korea.

During his interview with Yonhap News Agency, he called on China and Russia to play their constructive role.

"I believe that continuing in this manner is not desirable for international peace and security," Park said.

His remarks came after South Korea was recently elected as a non-permanent member of the council for 2024-25.

North Korea last year fired 69 ballistic missiles, breaking the previous record of 25 launches annually.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid