North Korea wants to see an increased involvement of the Chinese in supporting the North Korean state and regime, according to IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly.
The full analysis will appear in IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly next week.
“The current rhetoric out of North Korea, which is far outside of even the bounds of the now “normal” bombast that we come to expect from Pyongyang, defies easy explanation. Many analysts are providing numerous alternative theories on the motivations of North Korea.
“Less well explored is the very real possibility that the Chinese themselves are the key audience for the frightening and preposterous messages and it is North Korea that is looking to influence China’s actions,” David Reeths, Director, Consulting, IHS Jane’s, said.
“Lost among the din is a very clear message that North Korea believes its current economic and political situation is untenable. One of the more palatable options ahead for the North Korea would be to increase the involvement of the Chinese in supporting the North Korean state and regime. Though North Korea certainly receives a tremendous amount of support from China, the current amount of support only scratches the surface of what the Chinese would provide to prevent North Korea from effectively changing the status quo on the Peninsula.
“This approach is not without risks. Push too little, and the Chinese may ignore the pressure as well as push too hard, especially by forcing the South Korea to either respond to an incident or be shown as bluffing and impotent.”