In 2017, North Korea faced a rare united front of China, Russia, and the U.S., as the UN Security Council imposed strict sanctions following Pyongyang’s intercontinental ballistic missile and thermonuclear tests. President Donald Trump’s administration openly threatened military action, raising pressure on Kim Jong Un’s regime.
Fast forward to today, and the landscape has shifted dramatically. Heightened U.S.-China rivalry has made Beijing reluctant to pressure North Korea, prioritizing regional stability. Russia, entangled in its war against Ukraine, now relies on North Korea for ammunition and troops, strengthening Kim’s position. Moreover, Trump’s recent election victory could offer Kim an opportunity for favorable negotiations, as the president-elect appears open to making deals with North Korea, contrasting with past Democratic administrations.
Despite North Korea’s continued missile advancements and aggressive stance toward South Korea, the UN Security Council has remained silent. Kim has emerged as a beneficiary of global tensions, gaining economic stability and reduced vulnerability to external pressure. Under Trump’s second term, North Korea may grow even bolder, further advancing its nuclear and missile programs with diminished fear of reprisal. More here…
