China complains to North Korea over border shooting

China said Tuesday that North Korean border guards shot dead three Chinese citizens last week and that Beijing had complained to Pyongyang.

The incident Friday also left one person injured, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Qin Gang said at a regular media briefing.

"On the morning of June 4, some residents of Dandong, Liaoning Province, were shot by North Korean border guards on suspicion of crossing the border for trade activities, leaving three dead and one injured," the spokesman said. "After the incident, China attached great importance to it and immediately raised solemn representations to Pyongyang."

He said the case was being investigated and gave no further details.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula after Seoul blamed Pyongyang for sinking its warship Cheonan in March.

Also Tuesday, South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Chun Yung-woo arrived in Beijing after saying that Seoul would not ask for new UN sanctions against Pyongyang.

There would be "no practical benefits" to any new UN Security Council sanctions since such measures were already in place, Chun told the Yonhap News Agency.

"The council is the primary organization responsible for maintaining international peace and stability. It needs to take measures over the Cheonan incident," Chun added.

Regarding the visit, Qin said that Chun would hold talks with officials from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Qin also reiterated China's stance on the Cheonan incident, calling on the countries concerned to exercise restraint.

Source:Global Times/Agencies