Something I wrote in a discussion elsewhere, seems relevant here:
I see China's support for North Korea as very much like US support for Israel.
^^^^^ CB: There are some big differences between Israel and North Korea. Korea has been occupied by the United States for 60 years after invading and attacking it. The aggressor with a long history of doing stupid things there is the US , not North Korea. North Korea is not committing genocide. North Korea should be supported vis-a-vis the US.