Moscow: North Korea will send thousands of workers to help rebuild Russia's war-torn Kursk region, according to Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu. Shoigu, who held talks with North Korea's Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang, described the deployment as "fraternal assistance," as reported by Russian state media.
According to BBC, the plan has drawn quick condemnation from neighboring South Korea and Japan. Seoul stated that the move violates UN sanctions on North Korea, expressing "grave concerns" about the "continuing illegal co-operation between North Korea and Russia." Japan echoed these concerns, with Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi noting that the developments could worsen the Ukrainian situation and affect regional security.
In November last year, Russia and North Korea signed a mutual defense treaty, pledging support in the event of "aggression" against either country. South Korean intelligence estimates that there are about 15,000 North Koreans working in Russia under bilateral industrial co-operation programs, providing revenue for Pyongyang. Earlier reports indicated that at least 1,000 of an estimated 11,000 North Korean troops in Russia had been killed in a span of three months.
Analysts suggest that North Korea could receive payment or gain access to Russian military technology in exchange for the deployment of troops. Both countries confirmed the presence of North Korean troops in April, a move condemned by South Korea and the US as illegal under the UN Charter and UN Security Council resolutions.
Top Russian and North Korean officials have maintained regular contact as the war in Ukraine continues, with Kim Jong Un pledging "unconditional" support for Russia on "the Ukrainian issue." Meanwhile, Russia claimed in April to have regained full control of the western Kursk region, a claim denied by Ukraine.