The Sino-Russian-North Korean Northern Triangle

There has been much recent talk about strengthening Sino-Russian relations, but few have considered the implications for their policies toward North Korea. In this exchange of views, we present the arguments for the revival of a triangle linking the three in opposition to the US-ROK-Japanese triangle, and we follow with arguments to the contrary. This leads us to reflect on the Cold War principles guiding Chinese and Russian policies toward North Korea and the extent to which they are reviving. The emphasis is on thinking about regional security and reunification, and there is recognition that Kim Jong-un is shunning diplomacy for now, delaying triangularity.