BEIJING - A runaway soldier from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) who killed four Chinese citizens is dead, a Chinese spokesman confirmed on Wednesday.

"Chinese police immediately arrested him after the incident. The runaway was injured during the process and died after treatment failed," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said.

A DPRK runaway soldier reportedly killed four Chinese citizens last month during a robbery after he crossed the border into China in search of food.

Calling it an individual criminal case, Hong said both China and the DPRK have paid great attention to the case. China has already lodged representations to the DPRK.

"The DPRK expressed regret over the incident and extended sympathies to the families of the victims," Hong said.

He said departments in charge of the case in the two countries are conducting a follow-up investigation and dealing with the aftermath.