gime led by Kim Jong-un in its efforts to cement its position as a nuclear arms state while navigating relationships with key global players. Specifically, it examines the capabilities that the North Korean leadership seeks to develop and the negotiation tactics it plans to employ with neighboring countries to realize its seadfast pursuit of the official recognition of a nuclear arms state. The study seeks to unravel how the regime leverages nuclear weaponary in its external dealings to ensure regime survival, and to prognosticate its future maneuvers in this regard. To achieve its objectives, the study first evaluates the Kim Jong-un regime’s interpretation of recent developments on the Korean Peninsula and in the surrounding geopolitical landscape, subsequently analyzing the diplomatic and security objectives formulated by North Korea in response to such developments. Furthermore, it delineates the specific capabilities sought by North Korea and elucidates the strategic frameworks it is crafting to attain its objectives. Drawing from a comprehensive evaluation of North Korea’s situational perceptions, capabilities, and strategies, the study discerns potential strategic inclinations that may shape the regime’s internal strategies.
The conclusions and implications derived from the aforementioned study methods are as follows: Firstly, it is apparent that the North Korean leadership remains steadfast in its pursuit of formal recognition as a nuclear weapons state, regardless of near-term feasibility constrains, and adhere to its capabilities and strategies toward this end. However, in the event that the leadership perceives this goal as unattainable due to whichever factor it percieves, it is likely that they will seek to secure at least some degree of nuclear capabilities as a contingency measure, ensuring the retention of the perception of a nuclear arms state status. In particular, regardless of their preferences or the feasibility of their aspirations, the North Korean leadership will be anticipating a myriad of potential challenges and contemplating strategy responses to address them. Concerns regarding the prospect of forced denuclearization via U.S. military interventions and potential shifts in China’s stance, as a key ally, loom large in North Korea’s strategic calculus.
Consequently, the regime is likely to accord top priority to effectively deterring U.S. military actions while concurrently prioritizing the enhancement of cooperative ties with China and Russia, recognizing these as paramount diplomatic and security imperatives until the desired status of a nuclear weapons state is attained.
However, the prospect of North Korea achieving its goal of being recognized as a nuclear weapons state is significantly slim. The international community is unlikely to extend such recognition, and the willingness of North Korea’s allies, China and Russia, to overtly support North Kore’s nuclear endeavors is waning as they seek to counterbalance the expanding influence of the U.S. in the region.
 

1. Introduction
2. North Korea’s Strategies and Outlook
3. Conclusion