Growing signs of friction between North Korea and China this year have raised questions about a potential realignment of Pyongyang’s foreign policy priorities, especially as it continues to cozy up to Moscow.

However, a leading expert says the apparent turbulence between the DPRK and China is merely short term, and in actuality, their relationship remains remarkably stable. 

In an exclusive interview with NK News, Seong-Hyon Lee, a senior fellow at the George H. W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations, likens the neighbors to a couple whose frequent arguments belie a surprisingly durable partnership.

Lee, who previously served as the