China Stationing Troops in North Korea



North Korea
(Rason, North Korea) China has invested $2 billion in the planned tourist zone of Rason (once known as Rajin and Sonbong) in northeast North Korea.

To protect its investment, which includes port facilities open to the Sea of Japan, a large high-class casino and a four-star hotel, China will station troops at Rason.

Beijing and Pyongyang recently discussed details of stationing Chinese soldiers in the North’s northeastern city of Rason.

The official said the soldiers would protect Chinese port facilities, but the location also gives access to the Sea of Japan (East Sea), while a senior security official was quoted as saying it would allow China to intervene in case of North Korean instability.

Frankly, it's not really clear who represents a threat to Rason. It seems unlikely that any foreign nation would make a move against Rason and it would arguably be suicidal for the North Koreans to make a move against Chinese interests. Therefore, the need for stationing Chinese troops in Rason seems weak.

In any event, I suggest that sailing in the Sea of Japan will get more interesting now that China can claim a base there.