North Korea faces growing sanctions and cooling ties with its closest ally, China, but it has Russia and a surprisingly large network of partners.
When the world has been tough on Pyongyang, leaders in the reclusive state have long turned to allies in Beijing to alleviate their troubles. But that relationship is showing signs of fraying.
China makes up more than 80 percent of North Korean trade and has been credited for holding up the regime, but analysts say that China has become more assertive this year in exercising pressure on its ally.
Andrei Lankov, a professor at Kookmin University in Seoul and a specialist in Korean Studies, wrote on Monday that there is an „ongoing U-turn in China’s North Korean policy.“
He cited strong Chinese support for „the toughest“ United Nations Security Council-approved resolution ever on the North Korean issue — an action which he said surprised many observers, including him.
