China–North Korea Alliance: North Korea’s Premier Pak Thae Song met China’s Li Qiang in Beijing as both sides marked the 65th anniversary of their Friendship Treaty, pledging deeper strategic coordination and expanded economic and trade cooperation. Diplomatic Signaling: Beijing’s anniversary event featured senior Communist Party officials and stressed a “new historical phase,” while Pyongyang framed the relationship as resilient amid shifting security conditions. Nuclear Standoff: Pyongyang rejected renewed denuclearization calls after NATO’s Ankara summit, arguing disarmament should start with U.S. nuclear assets hosted by allies rather than with North Korea. Sanctions Pressure: The UN Security Council condemned recent North Korean ballistic missile launches, calling them grave violations and urging full implementation of tougher sanctions, including cargo inspections. Missile Setback: A North Korean mid-range missile launch tied to a founder-birthday celebration reportedly failed, though Pyongyang is expected to try again with another missile. Markets & Everyday Economy: North Korea’s markets saw fruit and vegetables fill stalls as prices climbed, and separate reporting pointed to housing-material theft and inspections of civilian militias. Cyber & Security: South Korea reported a five-year high in military cyberattack attempts in 2025, citing concerns about North Korea-linked hackers.