I would argue that they're pretty much controlled by one foreign power, China, given that they're heavily dependent on imports from China because of the sanctio

I would argue that they're pretty much controlled by one foreign power, China, given that they're heavily dependent on imports from China because of the sanctions. So if they enter into treaties that lead to the lifting of sanctions, they could actually gain freedom (from China) by giving up other freedoms (to stockpile nukes etc.).