Chan Young Bang

Opinion | China has one good policy option as a nuclear-armed North Korea cosies up to Russia

China could insist on the pre-war status quo or embrace a trilateral alliance with Moscow, but either option would hurt its strategic aims, including the one-China policy

Or it, along with major states, could offer an economic reform and aid deal to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons for a brighter future

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Chan Young Bang

Published: 3:30am, 1 Nov 2022

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has ravaged facilities in major cities and displaced millions of refugees. It has also caused a geopolitical polarisation, splitting the world into two blocs: South Korea, Japan and most European countries have joined the United States to counter China, North Korea, Belarus and Russia.

In response, North Korea is devising a new role by firmly aligning with Russia against the US alliance.

Firstly, North Korea was one of five countries in the United Nations to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and has reportedly committed to supplying labour and ammunition, a charge it denies.

Secondly, Pyongyang supports Russia’s latest annexations of Ukrainian territories and recognises Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states.

Thirdly, Pyongyang has changed its nuclear doctrine, codifying nuclear arms development into constitutional law on September 8, claiming it will use nuclear weapons preemptively if a threat is perceived. Lastly, it is rapidly modernising its weapons of mass destruction, with 44 missiles tested this year, and preparing to conduct a seventh nuclear test.

Pyongyang’s belligerent stance, taken under these geopolitical circumstances, undermines the stability of Northeast Asia and poses a serious dilemma to China in optimising its geopolitical objectives.