Cheng, Xiaohe

Abstract
The recent North Korean satellite launch and nuclear test initiated a series of crises that brought the Korean Peninsula to the brink of war. The tests were the continuation of North Korea’s tireless efforts to perfect its long-range missile technology, miniaturize nuclear bombs and integrate them into long-range nuclear missiles. The tests and the following measures taken by the North Korean government aimed at establishing a convincing nuclear deterrence against the United States. The frenzy of provocations North Korea demonstrated in the past year seemingly reveals an emerging idea of Nuclear First, which bears Kim Jong Un’s personal mark. The tests immediately stalled the development of the Sino-North Korean relations, which had gained momentum during Kim Jong Il’s final years, and brought the relationship into a difficult and tumultuous period of time. The beginning of the most recent events started with the two nations going public with their disputes. Subsequently, China’s mass media became increasingly vocal in opposing North Korea’s provocations. What followed was a call for the reevaluation of China’s policy toward North Korea which drew increasingly popular support in China. Most recently, the Chinese government representative even threatened to take unilateral punitive action against North Korea. The future development of the Sino-North Korean relations is clouded with a slew of uncertainties that we have not yet seen in the two nations’ history.
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