China crossing 'red line' in relations: N. Korea

In a rare criticism of its closest ally, North Korean state media on Thursday warned that Beijing was crossing a "red line" in its relationship with Pyongyang.

A commentary in the state-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun vowed that North Korea would not give up its nuclear program, the CNN reports.

It also accused China of "dancing to the tune of the United States".

The commentary urged two Chinese state-run newspapers - the People's Daily and Global Times - to refrain from making reckless remarks as they risked undermining the relations between the two allies.

When quizzed about the commentary, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Geng Shuang said Beijing had been firm in its call for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in order to maintain the peace and stability of the region.

Chinese state-sanctioned tabloid Global Times slammed the Rodong Sinmun in a rebuttal and said, "The editorial is nothing more than a hyper-aggressive piece completely filled with nationalistic passion."

"Pyongyang is obviously grappling with some form of irrational logic over its nuclear program.