To change “status quo minus” into “status quo plus” in the region, China has advocated the resumption of the Six-Party Talks in dealing with the North’s nuclear ambitions. And China’s recent expansion of economic influence in terms of trade and investment in the North seems to be contributing to North Korea’s dilapidated economy. But the most important factor is North Korea’s sincerity regarding dismantling its nuclear devices on the diplomatic table, and the question is whether the North will initiate profound policy change to reform and open door, following China’s suggestion. There exists a gap in perception between China and its neighbors in either seeing the North Korean problem as a political concern which needs to be contained, or seeing them as issues which must be addressed separately. As long as this perceptional gap exists, the policies of the parties interested in North Korea will have differing aims and effects.