According to Yonhap news agency, top South Korean and Chinese envoys - Hwang Joon-kook and Wu Dawei - had an emergency telephone conversation earlier in the day on the recent exchange of fire between North and South Korea.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — China has expressed concern over the escalation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula, pledging to play a "constructive role" in resolving the situation, South Korean media reported Friday, citing a foreign ministry official.

According to Yonhap news agency, top South Korean and Chinese envoys — Hwang Joon-kook and Wu Dawei — had an emergency telephone conversation earlier in the day on the recent exchange of fire between North and South Korea.

"The Chinese side said it is seriously concerned about the current situation [in Korea]," the ministry official was quoted by the agency as telling reporters.

The official added that Wu stated during the conference call that peace and stability on the peninsula is important, not only for the Korean Peninsula, but for China as well, noting Beijing's "constructive role" in resolving the current situation, according to the agency.

On Thursday, North Korea fired shells at a South Korean military base across the demilitarized zone. Seoul responded by firing back dozens of heavy artillery rounds.

Following Thursday's exchange of fire, North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un ordered the country’s army on Friday to bring frontline troops to full combat readiness. South Korea’s National Defense Ministry has warned that it would deliver a strong response if Pyongyang continued to escalate tensions.