Historical Perspective on China’s “Tipping Point” with North Korea

• Published in: Asian perspective Vol. 42; no. 1; pp. 33 - 60
• Main Authors: Kim, Donggil, Lee, Seong-hyon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Seoul 경남대학교 극동문제연구소 01.01.2018; Johns Hopkins University Press; 극동문제연구소
• Subjects: Calculus; Cold War; Competition; Cooperation; Councils; Diplomatic & consular services; Foreign policy; Historical development; International relations; Intervention; Invasions; Korean War; Leadership; Mao Zedong (1893-1976); Nuclear tests; Nuclear weapons; Policy making; Sanctions; 정치외교학; Beijing China; South Korea; United States > US; Asia; China; North Korea; Sino-North Korean rela-tions; pivot to Asia; THAAD; denuclearization
• ISSN: 0258-9184; 2288-2871; 2288-2871
• DOI: 10.1353/apr.2018.0001

The view that China would not "abandon" North Korea, despite repeated provocations by North Korea, has been strengthened in the context of the US pivot to Asia, which is generally regarded by Chinese strategists as Washington's ploy to contain China. As the rivalry and competition between Washington and Beijing deepen, North Korea's strategic value to China increases. However, history shows that Beijing regarded Pyongyang as "expendable" even during the Korean War. Based on Sino- North Korean historical relations, in this article we argue that China's policy toward North Korea is not fixed but fluid, and that Washington and Seoul could inspire changes within China's policy toward North Korea.