Spartan95
Junior Member
The usefulness of NK lies entirely on its dysfunctional economy (thereby forcing it to rely on China), and its rogue state (making it a thorn to the US and its allies in the region).
The value of DPRK to PRC is that it is an independent country that is allied to PRC. The fact that it is not allied to US is a bonus.
Whether its economy is in shambles or whether its economy is prosperous wasn't a particular concern in earlier years, so long as it doesn't collapse into anarchy. This seems to have changed in recent years where concerns about DPRK collapsing due to economic ruin, food shortages, etc seems to be on the rise.
Perhaps this is where PRC came in to try and persuade Kim to undertake serious economic reforms. After all, why have an impoverished ally when you can have a prosperous one? Furthermore, a prosperous ally who can afford to buy modern military hardware from PRC is surely a bonus.