China-North Korea Alliance: Xi Jinping told Kim Jong Un in exchanged letters that Beijing’s support for the “traditional friendship” with North Korea will not change, even as the international situation shifts, as the treaty anniversary deepens political and strategic coordination. Diplomatic Push: North Korea’s Premier Pak Thae-song returned from a three-day China trip vowing to expand exchanges and cooperation after meeting Xi and Premier Li, with state media highlighting talks on connectivity, trade, and people-to-people sectors. Economic Signals at the Border: Cargo truck traffic between China’s Dandong and North Korea’s Sinuiju surged in mid-2026, with long daily lines suggesting a trade rebound tied to North Korea’s construction drive and demand for building, medical, and consumer goods. Domestic Market Overhaul: Satellite imagery analysis says Kim Jong Un is tearing down older jangmadang markets and replacing them with standardized “20×10” leisure complexes, a major push to regulate free-market activity. Military-Political Control: Kim Jong Un staged a highly public corruption purge targeting senior military figures, signaling tighter surveillance and loyalty demands as the military’s economic role grows. Cyber Threats: A report says North Korea-linked hackers used a phishing campaign targeting researchers and policy professionals with a RokRAT variant. Korean Peninsula Incident: South Korea recovered the body of a sailor missing near the Northern Limit Line after Seoul asked Pyongyang for humanitarian help; investigations are ongoing. US Policy Context: The Trump administration began the process to remove Syria from the U.S. state sponsors of terrorism list, leaving North Korea still on the list.