North Korea has announced plans to send 6,000 workers, including 1,000 combat engineers, to assist in rebuilding the war-affected Kursk region in Russia, highlighting the deepening cooperation between the two countries amidst sanctions and military collaboration.
North Korea to Dispatch 6,000 Workers to Aid Russian Reconstruction Efforts
North Korea to Dispatch 6,000 Workers to Aid Russian Reconstruction Efforts
A new wave of North Korean laborers is set to bolster construction in a critical Russian border region, further cementing ties between the two nations amidst ongoing conflict.
The article text:
In a significant move underscoring the alliance between North Korea and Russia, the Kremlin has confirmed that it will receive 6,000 workers from North Korea to support reconstruction efforts in a border region recently affected by conflict. This announcement was made following the visit of Sergei K. Shoigu, a prominent figure in the Russian government and a close aide to President Vladimir Putin, to Pyongyang.
During his visit on June 17, Shoigu reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un agreed to send 5,000 construction workers along with an additional 1,000 sappers—military personnel specialized in engineering tasks, particularly in demining operations. This request comes as part of the ongoing reconstruction efforts in the Kursk region, where North Korean troops collaborated with Russian forces in the recent fighting against Ukraine.
While North Korean state media has yet to confirm this development, videos released by Russian state outlets show Kim warmly greeting Shoigu during his visit. "Our cooperation is deepening," Kim conveyed, reflecting the growing partnership between the two nations.
As per reports from South Korean intelligence, approximately 15,000 North Korean laborers are currently employed in Russia. This influx of manpower, while violating UN sanctions, serves as a mutually beneficial agreement—providing North Korea with essential foreign currency from wage claims and assisting Russia, which faces labor shortages due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The announcement marks yet another critical chapter in the evolving dynamics of international relations. With increasing cooperation in military and labor sectors, both Russia and North Korea are focusing on bolstering their economies in light of external pressures and global sanctions.
In a significant move underscoring the alliance between North Korea and Russia, the Kremlin has confirmed that it will receive 6,000 workers from North Korea to support reconstruction efforts in a border region recently affected by conflict. This announcement was made following the visit of Sergei K. Shoigu, a prominent figure in the Russian government and a close aide to President Vladimir Putin, to Pyongyang.
During his visit on June 17, Shoigu reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un agreed to send 5,000 construction workers along with an additional 1,000 sappers—military personnel specialized in engineering tasks, particularly in demining operations. This request comes as part of the ongoing reconstruction efforts in the Kursk region, where North Korean troops collaborated with Russian forces in the recent fighting against Ukraine.
While North Korean state media has yet to confirm this development, videos released by Russian state outlets show Kim warmly greeting Shoigu during his visit. "Our cooperation is deepening," Kim conveyed, reflecting the growing partnership between the two nations.
As per reports from South Korean intelligence, approximately 15,000 North Korean laborers are currently employed in Russia. This influx of manpower, while violating UN sanctions, serves as a mutually beneficial agreement—providing North Korea with essential foreign currency from wage claims and assisting Russia, which faces labor shortages due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The announcement marks yet another critical chapter in the evolving dynamics of international relations. With increasing cooperation in military and labor sectors, both Russia and North Korea are focusing on bolstering their economies in light of external pressures and global sanctions.
