In brief
In a recent meeting in Pyongyang, Russian official Sergei K. Shoigu announced that North Korea would be dispatching 5,000 construction workers and 1,000 combat engineers to assist in the rebuilding of the Kursk region, which has seen military engagements involving North Korean troops. The sappers will specifically be involved in demining efforts in an area that saw active fighting earlier this year. Shoigu, who is now a security advisor to President Putin after serving as defense minister, emphasized the importance of this cooperation, referencing an ongoing directive from the Kremlin.
Currently, it is estimated that around 15,000 North Korean workers are already in Russia, providing labor in various sectors despite violating U.N. sanctions. This partnership benefits North Korea by providing crucial foreign currency through remitted wages while offering Russia a labor force needed due to shortages caused by the war in Ukraine. In a show of camaraderie, Kim Jong-un and Shoigu shared a warm greeting, putting focus on the deepening ties between their nations.
