China's Unbecoming Ally

North Korea held its Seventh Workers’ Party Congress last week. The primary focus of the Congress was to consolidate Kim Jong-un’s domestic power base and clarify the policy direction for the country’s future development.  Based on the statements released from the Congress, North Korea continues to seek nuclear power status, which runs in conflict with the push for its denuclearization by the international community, including China. Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to Kim on gaining his new title of Chairman of the ruling Workers’ Party. Nevertheless, the rifts between China and North Korea do raise questions about the future of the relationship. Although North Korea has grown increasingly defiant and assertive vis-à-vis China, Beijing is unlikely to abandon its unbecoming ally.

When the world takes a hard look at the realistic possibility of the denuclearization of the pariah state, there are not that many options. Regime change or the long-speculated collapse of the North Korean state seems unlikely in the near future, as Kim Jong-Un consolidates his domestic power base and even adopts some economic reform. The military option cannot be taken lightly given the damage Pyongyang can inflict on American allies and the uncertainty of creating a humanitarian crisis. Negotiations are unappealing since North Korea has repeatedly shown little real intention to denuclearize and has simply used negotiations to extract economic benefits, such as aid from international donors.