1991年9月，朝鲜和韩国正式加入联合国。朝鲜半岛北南双方能够同时分别加入联合国，主要原因在于朝鲜改变了长期坚持的立场。其中，朝鲜加入联合国，与中国因素有着直接关系。中国不愿再阻止韩国加入联合国是促使朝鲜转变立场的关键因素。朝鲜能够被中国"说服"，是希望借由在加入联合国问题上的协调合作换取中国在与韩国建交问题上的继续滞延。朝鲜加入联合国是特殊时期、特殊前提下中朝关系互动的产物。

In September 1991, DPRK and ROK were simultaneously admitted to the United Nations since DPRK had changed its long-standing policy. China's "persuasion" played an important role in North Korea's joining the United Nations. North Korea was forced to reluctantly reverse its position on UN membership due to China's unwillingness to veto South Korea's unilateral application. The reason why North Korea was "persuaded" by China is that it hoped that its compromise on the issue of joining UN could be exchanged for the delay of China's establishing diplomatic relations with South Korea. It was a result of the interaction between China and DPRK under a special premise in a special period.