China's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that China will consider providing help to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) if any is needed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the comment in response to a question of the DPRK's leader Kim Jong Un criticizing officials for a lapse in the country's anti-epidemic work.

"China respects the epidemic prevention measures taken by the DPRK in accordance with its own situation," Wang told reporters at a daily press briefing.

According to DPRK state media KCNA, Kim on Tuesday said "dereliction of duty" by some senior officials in implementing measures required by the global pandemic has created "a great crisis" in ensuring the safety of the country and the people. 

But KCNA did not specify details of the "crisis."