This dissertation starts with the question of what factors influence whether North Korea chooses to implement risky or cooperative policies toward major states, as well as what role domestic politics and ideology play in the DPRKs formation and enactment of foreign policy. This study also seeks to explain why North Korea chooses a hard line foreign policy and when it chooses to engage with surrounding states. To find answers to these questions, the domestic priorities behind foreign policies are analyzed within the framework of human needs development theory. In this theory, North Korean foreign policy goals are motivated by three domestic priorities or preferences: security, identity and prosperity. This study set up three hypotheses based on this theoretical framework. The hypotheses assumed that the DPRKs foreign policy is determined primarily by the demands of national security relative to the U.S.; North Koreas foreign policy toward South Korea is determined by the identity need; Pyongyangs foreign policy toward China is mostly based on a desire for economic prosperity. In order to test these hypotheses, this study employs the process-tracing method, and also observes the official newspaper of Pyongyang regime, through content analysis in order to determine the DPRKs perception and policy preference toward major states such as the United States, South Korea and China.From the theoretical standpoint, this study proposes that North Korea is not abnormal or atypical, that is, the foreign policy goals of North Korea are not drastically different from any other country. First of all, one must understand that the essential ideologies of Juche and Songun and historical experiences have formed the preferences of Pyongyangs leadership. It is clear that the DPRKs domestic priorities have great influence on its foreign policy toward major governments, more so than external pressures and direct diplomatic interactions. This study implies that, within its the context of its own history and perceptions, Pyongyang has acted rationally in regard to its goals and strategic interest.