北韓長期以核威嚇製造東北亞緊張局勢，雖達到對南韓、日本及美國施壓的目的，卻也造成其重軍事輕經濟的極大內政失衡、嚴重人為饑荒與經濟頹壞等問題。近年來，北韓除持續對美、日、韓等國採取核威嚇外交外，亦致力於經濟開發戰略。為此，金正日時期的北韓利用其特殊的地理位置、豐富的天然資源及周旋於強大的鄰國間，開始進行地緣政治經濟的新戰略布局，以提升其在東北亞的國際政治經濟地位。希冀藉此擁有更穩固與自主的外交戰略空間，同時也有助於脫離經濟困境，此亦為金正恩繼位後的政策基礎。

North Korea usually uses the nuclear threat to assert its international position and hold a bargaining chip in discussions with other big powers, especially with the United States. Furthermore, North Korea increases the tension in north-east Asia to show the strength of its nuclear weapons and bring the pressures to South Korea, Japan, and America. In North Korea, military objectives are prior to others, which creates serious problems at home, resulting in famines and economic problems. Given this dilemma, North Korea is devoted to economic development strategies. Since the demise of Kim Jong-il, North Korea has begun to use its geographical position, plenteous natural resources and strong neighbors to develop its economy and strengthen its international position in north-east Asia. By means of geo-political-economic strategies, North Korea can build a stable strategy base, solve its economic problems and break the old strategy of a nuclear threat to get more space abroad vis-à-vis China, the USA, South Korea, and Japan.