China reaffirmed its support for a "political solution" to tensions on the Korean peninsula after Pyongyang said its constitution now defines South Korea as a "hostile" state, AFP reports.
Relations between the two Koreas deteriorated after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in January described Seoul as his country's "main enemy" and said the North was no longer interested in unification.
After months of laying new mines and beefing up security along the border, the country blew up roads and railways linking it to the South this week, calling it an "inevitable and legitimate measure," Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency reported.
Asked about the tensions, Beijing - North Korea's most important ally and economic benefactor - said it was "closely monitoring developments on the peninsula".
"We have always believed that maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula and promoting the process of political settlement of the peninsula issue are in line with the common interests of all parties. We also hope that all sides will work together to make constructive efforts to achieve this goal," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said. | BGNES
