China has lodged a complaint with South Korea after Seoul summoned the Chinese ambassador to the country over remarks that warned against tilting toward the United States.

The Chinese envoy, Xing Haiming, told the leader of South Korea's largest opposition party last Thursday that there are those who bet on the US to win and China to lose and they would definitely regret it.

Xing was apparently referring to South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's policy of boosting ties with the US.

On Friday, South Korea lodged a protest with the ambassador, saying the remarks could constitute an attempt to interfere in its internal affairs.

China's foreign ministry said on Sunday that Assistant Foreign Minister Nong Rong had summoned the South Korean ambassador, Chung Jae-ho, the previous day to express "serious concern and dissatisfaction" over what it called Seoul's "improper response."

The ministry also said Nong urged Seoul to reflect on the relationship between the two countries and to work with China to promote healthy and stable ties.

In April, China and South Korea exchanged harsh criticism over a comment that President Yoon made about Taiwan.