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This study investigates, using statistical analysis and case evidence, whether cooperative China--DPRK relations or China's rise influence the DPRK to act more aggressively toward the ROK--U.S. Statistically, amicable China--DPRK ties have a positive association with the number of DPRK's aggressive actions toward the ROK--U.S. The increase in China--DPRK's material capability relative to that of the ROK--U.S. also positively affected this number. These findings are further supported through case evidence: China's stance toward the DPRK before and after the sinking of the Cheonan in 2010, and the THAAD incident between the DPRK's fourth and fifth nuclear tests in 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]