North Korean minister of defense executed

[Anomalocaris]

Kim needs to deter both China and the U.S. from trying to effect a regime change. Both have an interest in regime change.

China would rather have good relationships with South Korea than with North Korea. Chinese economic interest in South Korea dwarves its interest in the north. It's only the presence of the U.S. as a third player in the region that gives North Korea value as a buffer state for china.