SEOUL, June 13 (Reuters) - South Korea's president stepped up criticism of China's ambassador on Tuesday, saying the envoy had been disrespectful in suggesting South Korea had made the wrong choice by siding with the United States against China.
South Korea's foreign ministry summoned Xing on Friday to issue a protest and express "strong regret" over comments that the ministry said were "provocative" and a possible interference in internal affairs.
South Korea has been a staunch U.S. ally for decades and is host to nearly some 28,000 U.S. troops but it has developed extensive economic ties with China in recent years.
Its foreign ministry called in South Korea's ambassador on Saturday to express its "serious concern and dissatisfaction" over Seoul's "improper reaction" to Xing's comment.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said challenges in relations with South Korea were "not caused by China".
Persons:
Xing Haiming, Xing, Yoon Suk Yeol, Yoon, Kim Seok, Park Jin, Xing's, Park, Hyonhee Shin, hyang Choi, Ed Davies, Robert Birsel
Organizations:
South, Foreign, Thomson
Locations:
SEOUL, South Korea, United States, China, U.S, South, North Korea, Korea, South Korea's, Vienna