Seoul: North Korea has sent approximately $10 billion in weapons and troops to Russia to support Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, yet has received significantly less in return, as per a recent report.
According to Yonhap News Agency, a report commissioned by the Korea Office of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom highlights an "unequal partnership" between North Korea and Russia, even as their military cooperation has intensified. The report indicates that since 2023, North Korea has supplied weapons, ammunition, and troops valued at up to $9.8 billion, which constitutes over one-third of the nation's estimated annual economic output.
In comparison, Russia's compensation to North Korea is estimated to be around $1.2 billion. This compensation primarily consists of food and oil assistance, along with a limited number of air defense systems, GPS jammers, and possibly fighter aircraft. The report mentions that there is "no evidence" suggesting Russia's direct involvement in North Korea's technological modernization, noting that North Korea's economy remains in a dire condition under this "unequal partnership."
The value of military assistance between the two countries is estimated to be about half the scale reported by the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA), which had assessed Russia's assistance as potentially worth up to $20 billion. Despite this, the report underscores that the strengthening ties between Pyongyang and Moscow indicate a higher likelihood of continued cooperation even after the conflict in Ukraine concludes.
For North Korea, Russia is a crucial source of advanced military technology, aiding in the modernization of its armed forces and serving as a strategic counterbalance to its increasing reliance on China. Additionally, close ties with Moscow help alleviate international isolation and provide legitimacy and external recognition that few other countries are prepared to offer.