People watch live coverage of President Yoon Suk Yeol's public statement at Seoul Station in the capital, Dec. 12. Yonhap

China's foreign ministry said Thursday it was "deeply surprised and dissatisfied" after President Yoon Suk Yeol accused Chinese nationals of spying.

In a public address earlier in the day, Yoon defended his short-lived imposition of martial law, during which the president claimed that opposition parties blocked a revision to anti-espionage laws despite two separate instances in which Chinese nationals filmed military installations and the National Intelligence Service in Korea.

"We are deeply surprised and dissatisfied with the remarks made by the South Korean side," Mao Ning, Beijing foreign ministry's spokesperson, said during a regular press briefing.

She added, "We firmly oppose the South Korean side linking its internal issues with factors related to China, making up false charges of so-called Chinese spies and disgracing normal economic and trade cooperation."

Mao said a verdict has not been reached yet in the mentioned cases and that China is maintaining related communication with South Korea.

She also urged South Korea to guarantee the safety and legal rights of the individuals involved. (Yonhap)