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collapse. In recent years, North Korea has taken a pro-China
stance, emphasizing “people-first politics” and “communism”
at the 8th Party Congress, not only to preserve social control
and legitimacy but also to fortify its relationship with China.

These factors explain why relations between North Korea
and China have seemed to be contradictory. Kim Jong-
Un executed his uncle Jang Song-Thaek, who was seen as
pro-China, thus blocking China’s influence expansion.
And Kim appeared to break away from China’s influence
by participating in nuclear negotiations with the United
8
States during the height of U.S.-China tensions. China also
supported United Nations sanctions following North Korea’s
9
second and sixth nuclear tests, but later opposed sanctions
against North Korea, acting as a political patron and playing a
significant role in North Korea-U.S. nuclear negotiations. 10

7 Regarding the discussion of China’s influence on North Korea, Weiqi Zhang and Ginger L. Denton, “The North
Korean Nuclear Dilemma,” Journal of Asian Security and International Affairs, Vol.6, No.2 (August 2019).

8 Oriana Mastro, “Why China Won’t Rescue North Korea: What to Expect If Things Fall Apart,” Foreign Affairs
(January-February 2018).
9 UN Security Council Res S/RES/2375 (September 11, 2017) imposed more restrictions on oil sanctions to

maintain crude oil exports at 4 million barrels and limits exports of refined products at 2 million barrels
annually.
10 For more details on the recent ups and downs of their relations, Ben Frohman, Emma Rafaelof, and Alexis

Dale-Huang, “The China-North Korea Strategic Rift: Background and Implications for the United States,”
U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission Staff Research Report (January 24, 2022).

Chapter Two : North Korea’s Nuclear Threat and China’s Backing for North Korea 31