N. Korea backs China on Taiwan, blames U.S. for regional instability

What happened: North Korea defended Beijing's One China policy and accused the United States of supporting Taiwan independence and escalating regional tension, in a KCNA article by analyst Kim Myong-chol. Key numbers: Kim said U.S. overseas arms sales to Taiwan over the past decade amounted to more than US$39 billion. Why it matters: The piece reflects closer North Korea-China ties, with the two sides vowing at the June summit to elevate their relationship to a strategic partnership. Kim warned Washington to consider whether it can cope with the consequences of confrontation over Taiwan.

North Korea defended Beijing's One China policy and accused the United States of supporting Taiwan independence and escalating regional tension, in a KCNA article by analyst Kim Myong-chol.

The piece reflects closer North Korea-China ties, with the two sides vowing at the June summit to elevate their relationship to a strategic partnership. Kim warned Washington to consider whether it can cope with the consequences of confrontation over Taiwan.