Chaesung Chun, Chair of the EAI’s National Security Research Center and Professor at Seoul National University, examines the complex dynamics of the DPRK-China-Russia alliance, highlighting its inherent weaknesses. As North Korea advances its New Cold War diplomacy against the backdrop of the Ukraine-Russia War and U.S.-China rivalry, Chun explores the dilemma South Korea faces: should it consider the tripartite alliance sustainable, or see North Korea as potentially open to negotiations with the U.S. and ROK? While the outcome is uncertain, Chun emphasizes that South Korea must dissociate great power politics from nonproliferation efforts and foster a cooperative framework that will encourage DPRK to give up its nuclear arsenal and return to the negotiating table.