North Korea has seemingly made a thinly veiled warning to China of catastrophic consequences to their bilateral relations, as it asked its historic ally not to step up sanctions.
The warning on Saturday came in a commentary titled "Are you good at dancing to the tune of others", released by the state-owned KCNA news agency.
While the commentary did not mention China by name, Pyongyang expressed its criticism of "a country around the DPRK", using the acronym for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
"The country is talking rubbish that the DPRK has to reconsider the importance of relations with it and that it can help preserve security of the DPRK and offer necessary support and aid for its economic prosperity, claiming the latter will not be able to survive the strict 'economic sanctions' by someone," the commentary said.
It added that if "the country" continues applying sanctions on Pyongyang, "it may be applauded by the enemies of the DPRK, but it should get itself ready to face the catastrophic consequences" in bilateral relations.
In February, Beijing announced that it would not buy coal - North Korea's main export - from Pyongyang for the rest of the year in support of a United Nations resolution.
Official media in China have also suggested the possibility of suspending exports of hydrocarbons if North Korea conducts a new nuclear test.
Pyongyang's apparent criticism of its principal ally, although made indirectly, reflects an estrangement between Beijing and the increasingly isolated regime of Kim Jong Un.
Share
