North Korea is currently enjoying a lucrative relationship with Russia centered around arms deals for the Ukraine conflict. But DPRK leader Kim Jong Un likely knows this arrangement won’t last and will be looking for new buyers as his country churns out ever larger quantities of weapons.

Possible paths for the regime are already visible. The recent expansion of weapons factories and increased production capabilities in North Korea may be aimed at more than just meeting Russian demands.

The success of Russia-DPRK weapons trade and the weakening of international sanctions enforcement may also embolden