China calls for DPRK, ROK to remain calm, restrained

BEIJING - China on Saturday called for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea(ROK) to keep calm and restrained to safeguard the peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

"China expects related parties to remain calm and restrained, not to take provocative or radical actions and jointly safeguard the peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in a statement.

Hong's comments came as the Western Front Command of the Korean People's Army (KPA) on Friday warned that it might fire on an ROK border area where Seoul plans to scatter anti-DPRK leaflets next week while the ROK defense chief said the ROK would wipe out the attackers.

"China is concerned about the development of the issue," Hong said.

As a neighbor, China supports the DPRK and the ROK to resolve the issue through dialogue and consultation, Hong said, stressing China opposes any actions that might escalate the tensions or any military confrontations on the peninsula.