Diplomatic Tensions Rise as South Korea and China Exchange Criticisms Over US Ties

South Korea's foreign ministry has summoned China's ambassador to protest comments he made accusing Seoul of tilting towards the United States and away from China. China's ambassador accused Seoul of damaging its relations with China, its biggest trading partner, and demanded that Seoul respect Beijing's core interests including Taiwan. South Korea has struggled to strike a balance between the United States, its decades-long military ally, and China, the biggest buyer of its goods as the rivalry between Washington and Beijing deepens over regional influence and technology.