Here's why:
* Border proximity: North Korea shares a long border with China, leading to significant cultural and economic exchange.
* Trade relations: China is North Korea's largest trading partner.
* Historical ties: China has played a significant role in North Korean history, including providing support during the Korean War.
However, it's important to note:
* Limited information: Data on language use in North Korea is scarce due to its closed nature.
* Other potential languages: Russian, Japanese, and English may also be spoken by certain groups.
Therefore, while Chinese is widely considered the second most spoken language, it's difficult to definitively confirm this due to the lack of official data.