Beijing and Seoul have traded accusations over a comment by South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on Taiwan.

Yoon discussed Taiwan in a recent interview with Reuters news agency, expressing opposition to any changes to the status quo by force.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin criticized Yoon's remark at a news conference on Thursday.

"The Taiwan question is purely an internal affair at the core of China's core interests," Wang said. He added, "Its resolution is a matter for the Chinese, who do not need to be told what should or should not be done."

The South Korean foreign ministry responded later in the day, calling Wang's remarks "a serious diplomatic discourtesy." The ministry also summoned the Chinese ambassador to lodge a protest.

The tit-for-tat verbal exchange comes ahead of Yoon's state visit to the United States next week.