The North Korean national flag flies over its embassy in Beijing

The North Korean national flag flies over its embassy in Beijing November 29, 2010. China remains Pyongyang's biggest trade partner and arguably has the most leverage on Kim Jon-Il's regime. North Korea placed surface-t-surface missiles on launch pads in the Yellow Sea, South Korea's state press said, as the United States and South Korea began military drills and China called for emergency talks. UPI/Stephen Shaver