I don't think North Korea has the same relationship with South Korea or the rest of the world in general that different sides on some issue -- like gun control or abortion -- have with each other. Political opponents are engaged in a constant debate, each with the goal of convincing and winning over undecided voters that their view is best for all. North Korea has mostly cut itself off from any normal communication with all the rest of the world. North Korea doesn't seem to be interested in winning over converts or sympathizers, unlike the Soviet and Chinese communists.
I've seen the suggestion that some or all of North Korea's unpredictable provocations have as much to do with their internal politics as with any coherent foreign policy strategy.
I've seen the suggestion that some or all of North Korea's unpredictable provocations have as much to do with their internal politics as with any coherent foreign policy strategy.
It is a classic ploy for uncertain and troubled regimes to have an outside enemy to blame for problems.
My theory on why North Korea has stepped up its provocation of South Korea since their nuclear missle tests is that they see this as a tug-of-war.
Suppose that North Korea wants to keep its nuclear weapons program. If they hadn't sunk a ship and bombed a city, world leaders would currently be pressuring North Korea to stop making nuclear weapons. Instead, they're pressuring North Korea to stop doing something (make provocative attacks) that North Korea doesn't really want to do anyway. And when North Korea (temporarily) stops attacking South Korea, everybody can go home and say they "did something about North Korea". And North Korea can keep on making nukes.