Unification Minister Hyun In-taek has called on China to play a responsible role in dealing with North Korea.

Hyun met with China’s ambassador to South Korea Zhang Xinsen in Seoul on Friday and said that China needs to play a responsible role now more than ever as affairs on the Korean Peninsula are unfolding in a dynamic manner.

Hyun said that South Korea is in the midst of dealing with the sinking of the “Cheonan” naval vessel near the North Korean border and that Pyongyang continues to demonstrate irrational and unreasonable behavior on South Korea’s tourism business to the North.

After the meeting, Zhang said that China has always played a responsible role and will continue to do so in the future.

However, the Chinese ambassador refused to field questions or make direct comments related to North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s ongoing visit to China.

Zhang visited the Unification Ministry for the first time since taking up his post in Seoul in March.