China Summons South Korean Envoy in Protest Over Criticism of Its Ambassador

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Sunday that Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Nong Rong summoned the South Korean ambassador to express a complaint regarding criticisms from Seoul directed at recent comments made by the Chinese ambassador to South Korea. The Chinese statement indicated that the assistant foreign minister expressed "serious concern and dissatisfaction" with Seoul's "inappropriate reaction" to the comments made by the Chinese ambassador during a meeting with the leader of an opposition party in South Korea. South Korea had summoned the Chinese ambassador on Friday to convey its protest, describing the ambassador's comments as "provocative" and potentially an interference in domestic affairs. The Chinese ambassador warned Seoul against making "wrong bets" in the dispute between China and the United States.