The worldwide collapse of communism has isolated North Korea. Its foreign policy is now in flux. In 1991, it joined the UN, and yet in 1992 and 1993 denied officials from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) access to suspected nuclear bomb manufacturing sites. In 1994, North Korea withdrew from the IAEA altogether. Similarly, talks have been held with South Korea about reunification, yet North and South Korean forces remain in a state of alert across the border. The 1992 recognition of South Korea by China was a major blow to North Korea, resulting in a reduction in Chinese aid, and the implicit view from Beijing that South Korea would be the dominant partner in future.
