중국의 세계금융위기 인식과 대북정책: 지속과 변화

Abstract

This Paper examines the recent change of China’s North Korea policy after global financial crisis. In this context, this article predicts China’s North Korea policy in the framework of the government’s overall strategies for its foreign policy. of specific concern here is that of Northeast Asia, rather than in the framework of China-North Korea relations. The financial crisis will not alter China’s informal goal of intensifying its influence over North Korea by helping Kim Jong-il maintain his regime and purse peace and security on the Korean peninsula and solving North Korea’s nuclear issues in a peaceful manner in the future. Yet, the current situation in which China needs to maintain a cooperative relationship with the United States to get through the economic crisis will subtly affect its North Korea policy. In other words, under the framework of the cooperative relationship with the United States, China will expand opportunities for discussions with Washington, looking to mutually understand and share purposes regarding North Korea policy. Thereby, it is most likely that China’s North Korea policy, which is determined by considering North Korea’s strategic importance and the scope of China’s responsibility to the international community, will value the latter more than the former.