Korea Times: 'Don't test our patience': North Korea implies 'damaged' alliance with Beijing
North Korea's state media made a rare, direct criticism of China saying its "reckless remarks" on the North's nuclear program are testing its patience and could trigger unspecified "grave" consequences.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), through a commentary written identified only as Kim Chol, said China had "crossed the red line" of their alliance and Pyongyang "will never beg for Beijing's friendship," following China consenting to tougher sanctions on the isolated country, including a possible suspension of oil supply.
China, North Korea's largest trading partner and main ally, halted North Korean coal imports in accordance with U.N. sanctions in February and has been urging its traditional ally to stop nuclear and missile activities amid U.S. pressuring to use its military to resolve the issue.
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Update #1: N. Korea warns China of ‘grave consequences,’ Beijing still wants ‘friendly relations’ (RT)
Update #2: In war of words with North Korean media, Chinese media takes aim at Kim Il-sung (Hankyoreh).
WNU Editor: Both sides are now quiet in criticising each other, butt the damage has been done. This mutual (and public disagreement) is a first, and China has telegraphed to everyone in the region .... especially to the North Koreans .... that China's relationship with North Korea can no longer be taken for granted.
