Though the mechanics are obviously different than the Sino-Soviet Dispute, the outcome is similar enough to be compared; North Korea is in the middle of the re-emerging Chinese great power and the world’s only superpower (for a detailed explanation this, see Suh Dae-sook’s book). Bush’s change from a hard-line to La-La Land policy […]

With China making claims on Korea’s history, giving Beijing a stake in North Korea’s well being on the DPRK’s southern border might not be the best of moves, but money beckons:
A Chinese manufacturer has become the first foreign company to sign a contract to open a factory in an inter-Korean industrial complex in North […]

Update 2: via NightWatch:
Today, however, Japan Today and the South Korean daily Yonhap reported that Kim Jong-nam still lives in China, but made one of his periodic visits to Pyongyang in June.
Update: “Kim Jong-il’s Eldest Son ‘Back in Pyongyang”
The eldest son of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, Kim Jong-nam (36) has returned to Pyongyang […]

Although Christopher Hill thought the matter was settled, “I think they [the North Koreans] recognize that this indeed means the matter is resolved,” he’d said, North Korea has refused to deal further until it actually receives its fund from the Macau bank:
Talks on ending North Korea’s nuclear program reached stalemate on Wednesday over the […]

In late October there was speculation that China had suspended oil shipments to North Korea for the month of September due to displeasure over the July missiles tests and to send a warning concerning a nuclear test. In mid-November, Chinese officials told visiting American scholars that China had not cut-off oil (or food aid) […]

An article in the New York Times indicates China may have punished North Korea by withholding oil, while another in the Washington Times suggests that China has helped North Korea with its nuclear programs. Both may be overblown.
According to figures released by China’s customs administration, no crude oil was shipped to North Korea for […]

Average Chinese citizens are angry with North Korea for testing a nuclear weapon, but also harbor anti-American attitudes. Surprisingly, according to the article, a majority of Chinese believe China should “abandon” North Korea, although they aren’t likely to have much influence with policy makers. From USA Today:
By claiming to test a nuclear device, North […]

Fencing along the Yalu River started before North Korea’s nuclear test, so it is not a reaction to the test, or of criticisms that China is possibly undermining Saturday’s UNSC resolution by continuing trade projects and suggesting it will not interdict suspect North Korean vessels. From the AP:
China has been building a massive […]

When North Korea’s nuclear test was first reported, I thought the Kim regime should have saved a few steps by conducting the test directly over Pyongyang. I also thought the test went too far for my pet theory of ‘strategic disengagement.’ However, with the first round of reactions in from the major players, […]

Why North Korea tested nuclear device.. and why now? These questions of course assume that North Korea did in fact test a nuclear weapon and didn’t just detonate a large amount of conventional explosives in order to simulate a successful nuclear test. This could be the case considering the well publicized failure of […]