시진핑 시대 중국의 대북정책 평가와 전망

Evaluation of and the Prospects for China s Policy toward North Korea in Xi Jinping Era

1) The purpose of this study is to evaluate and discuss the future prospects for the policies of China towards North Korea in Xi Jinping era in the context ofSino-American relations. China under Xi Jinping has been dealing with the North Korea issue in its strategy to build a new type of relations with the U.S. That is, China intends to maintain its policy emphasis ondenuclearization and keeping the stability of the Korean peninsula in its relation with the U.S.China has thus emphasized the importance of conversation and negotiation in resolving issues, while in principle participating in UN Security Councilsanctions against North Korea, for the three nuclear testsdone by the North since 2013. This can be said to be the result of China seeking to accomplish its aimson the Korean peninsula by keeping its threeprinciples for the peninsula, (1) peace and stability of Korean peninsula, (2) denuclearization of Korean peninsula, and (3) solving issues through conversation, in relation to theU.S. The strategic value of North Korea willnot to be reduced under Xi Jinping and we can expect that in the future, China will continue its policy of strategic management of the North Korea issue in China-U.S relations. In particular, in relation tothe North Korea nuclear issue, it is highly likely that China will take the lead in conversation and negotiation towards U.S and North Korea, aiming to freeze North Korea s nuclear program and put a hold on North Korean nuclear ambitions.