In an increasingly fragmented global order, North Korea stands as one of the world’s most isolated nations, economically marginalized, diplomatically shunned, and politically vilified. Its nuclear ambitions, harsh regime, and human rights violations have made it a dangerous state in the eyes of the West. Yet amid this isolation, the country still manages to grow strong, also thanks to one geopolitical relationship that is solidifying, its strategic alignment with China.
The evolving North Korea–China relationship is not just a matter of convenience. It is the result of deliberate international policy and aligned interests, especially to counter the United States and its allies, who continue their blockade toward Pyongyang. Sanctions, diplomatic disengagement, and economic severance have left North Korea with few options. In that vacuum, China has emerged as an indispensable partner, not only because of mutual affection, but because of geopolitical necessity.
China now accounts for more than 90% of North Korea’s trade, acting as its primary supplier of food, energy, and consumer goods. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when North Korea sealed its borders and dove into isolation, Beijing continued to provide essential support. And as Pyongyang cautiously reopens, signs point to a renewed economic and diplomatic pivot toward China.
From China’s perspective, supporting North Korea serves a calculated purpose. Beijing does not want a unified Korea under Seoul’s leadership, aligned militarily with the United States, and it fears a humanitarian crisis and a military threat from the West if the North Korean regime collapses. As such, North Korea is seen as a strategic buffer that helps China project regional influence and keep US allies on edge.
However, this is not a frictionless partnership. China is frequently restrained by North Korea’s provocations, particularly its ballistic missile launches and nuclear tests, which threaten to escalate regional tensions and draw unwanted international scrutiny. Despite this, Beijing has rarely applied real pressure on its neighbour, preferring to manage the crisis rather than resolve it.
Ironically, the harder the world pushes North Korea into isolation, the more it clings to the one partner it has left. This dynamic may seem to vindicate those who argue that sanctions are driving North Korea into China’s arms. Similarly, North Korea is also establishing a close diplomatic relationship with another major counterforce of the West: Russia. President Putin and the leader Kim Jong-Un already engaged in a series of meetings, leading to the direct financial and military support in the Ukranian War: officials estimated that Pyongyang may receive up to “$3 billion” in economic benefits from its alliance with Russia, amounting to “about 30 percent” of North Korea’s annual budget (Ji-Eun, 2025).
Considering the evident closeness of North Korea with China and Russia, the West must reconsider the long-term consequences of perpetual isolation. While sanctions serve an important symbolic and strategic purpose, they have proven to be pointless and only lead to an unwanted outcome. If North Korea is to be nudged away from China’s orbit, there must be credible incentives, such as economic, diplomatic, and humanitarian, that offer a path toward reintegration rather than dependence. For now, global isolation is not weakening North Korea’s power. It is shifting the balance of power in the region, deepening China’s role as a gatekeeper and increasing the regime’s tolerance for one-sided dependence. The more we isolate Pyongyang, the more we ensure it remains tethered to Beijing, not only by choice, but by necessity.
Resources:
Ji-Eun S. (2025) North seeks to repair ties with China while drawing even closer to Russia: Unification Ministry, published by Korea JoongAng Daily, available at: North seeks to repair ties with China while drawing even closer to Russia: Unification Ministry
By The European Institute for International Relations
