North Korea on the other hand seems to be strengthening its ties with China... as a North Korean friendship group visiting China this week sat down with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday.
Exchanging greetings, Pyongyang and Beijing once again agreed to further solidify their friendship.
Oh Jung-hee reports.
Following North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's visits to China in late March and just last week,... this time, a North Korean delegation visited Beijing.
Called a friendship visiting group, the delegation included senior party officials and was led by Pak Thae-song, the vice chairman of the Workers' Party's Central Committee.

The group met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday.
Noting that he shared detailed views with Kim Jong-un,... President Xi said China hopes to further advance interactions and cooperation between Pyongyang and Beijing.
The Chinese leader said he backs the improvement of inter-Korean relations, the planned summit between Pyongyang and Washington... as well as the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

But it seems the most important part of the delegation's visit was to find out more about China's economy.
The delegation highlighted that its China visit was to carry out what had been agreed between Kim and Xi,... which includes learning from Beijing's experience in economic development, reform, and opening up to the world.
President Xi said China supports North Korea's efforts to develop its economy.
This follow's North Korea's policy shift last month from simultaneous development of nuclear weapons and economy to a complete focus on building a socialist economy.
Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News.