China is not North Korea’s boss, though Pyongyang is heavily reliant on Beijing. China wants North Korea to remain stable, and fear of instability has made China reluctant to exercise leverage over Pyongyang. Pyongyang understands that it can get away with its misbehaviors by taking advantage of its strategic importance. And the combination of a monolithic leadership system, juche ideology, and military-first politics has created unique political dynamics that makes the DPRK invulnerable to foreign pressures.