Abstract

PATINO GARCIA, Camilo. The Importance of North Korea to China. rev.relac.int.estrateg.segur. [online]. 2018, vol.13, n.2, pp.153-185. ISSN 1909-3063.  https://doi.org/10.18359/ries.3315.

This paper examines the reciprocal relationship between the People's Republic of China (China) and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) in terms of alliance and dependence. From a neorealist position in international relations, it may be affirmed that, although North Korea depends on China for its internal stability and external security, China maintains this alliance as a priority element of geopolitical security and regional stability for its economic development. It also presents a historical view of the relationship to evince the convenience factor in their constant distancing and approach, analyzes the military and economic components as power elements and international institutionalism as an explanation for China's policy toward North Korea. Evidence indicates that China's actions in support of North Korea, especially economically and politically, are not subject to the North Korean deviation from the rules and standards of the international system, but to the structuring of a stable Korean peninsula with an ally that enables geopolitical power balance not subordinated to other states.

Keywords : international conflict; international relations; national security; negotiation; penalty.

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