Following the reopening of its borders in August 2023, North Korea has actively engaged in foreign exchanges, signaling a shift in its diplomatic strategy. Sang Ki Kim, a Research Fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, contends that North Korea is now pursuing a "New Cold War" approach, involving the deepening of ties with Russia and expanding diplomatic relations with non-Western countries. By doing so, North Korea not only reduces its reliance on China but also increases its strategic leverage within the DPRK-China-Russia partnership. Kim emphasizes the critical need for effective inter-Korean crisis management and urges South Korea to strengthen its ties with neighboring Northeast Asian countries to help ease international tensions surrounding the Korean Peninsula.

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