now they are filled with North Koreans

North Korea has sent almost 15,000 workers to Russia to help fill the gaps in the Russian labor market, reports US newspaper Wall Street Journalwhich provides information from South Korean intelligence.

This move is the last sign of deepening the bond between the two countries at a time when Russia is facing a severe lack of labor due to the war in Ukraine and demographic problems.

The war in Ukraine, which has been going on for the third year, has tightened a crisis in the Russian labor market, which has been present before that due to low fertility. According to the Western Resources, which he states Wall Street Journalhundreds of thousands of Russian soldiers died in the conflict, and many men have left the country to avoid military obligations or increasing state repression. According to the Russian Ministry of Labor, the state is currently facing a shortage of half a million workers, and that number could increase to 2.4 million by 2030, reports TVP World.

North Koreans as a solution?

In order to fill this gap, Moscow apparently turned to one of its most loyal allies. The South Korean intelligence service informed MPs last week that Pyongyang had sent nearly 15,000 migrants to Russia, writes Wall Street Journal. Many are supposed to enter the country with student visas; Russian independent medium Mediazone It reports that in 2024, North Korean citizens crossed the Russian border almost eight thousand times with the purpose of study, which is significantly more than in previous years and significantly more than the official numbers of the Russian Ministry of Education. The number of arrivals is expected to increase significantly in the second half of 2024.

These workers have so far been mostly referred to Russian Far East, but Russian authorities hope to bring them to major cities soon, including Moscow, states The Wall Street Journal. Russian employers, according to the newspaper, appreciate North Korean workers due to their willingness to work long, including twelve -hour shifts for low wages without complaining about working conditions.

A violation of the United Nations sanctions

This move, however, is a clear violation of the United Nations Security Council resolutions that prohibit the use of North Korean migrants abroad. These sanctions were accepted in response to the North Korean tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Economic and military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang was greatly strengthened after the start of Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The countries also signed a contract of defense last November, remembers KYIV INDEPENDENT.

North Korea, however, sends Russia not only workers but also soldiers and weapons. Photo: AFP

North Korea, however, sends Russia not only workers but also soldiers and weapons. According to the South Korean intelligence service, Pyongyang is expected to send 12,000 soldiers to Russia in 2024 to participate in the war against Ukraine, followed by an additional 3,000 this year.

According to some data provided by the South Korean MP Li Song Quonabout 600 North Korean soldiers were killed during the fighting for Russian forces. North Korean units are reportedly reported TVP World They also participated in the Russian anti -defense in Kursky after the Ukrainian forces carried out an unexpected intrusion there last August.

Russia’s economic problems

North Korea’s assistance comes at a time when the Russian economy is facing pressure. Russian business newspaper Knowing It states that the Russian economy could shrink in the first quarter of 2025 for the first time in almost three years, which is expected to be influenced by international sanctions, weak industrial production and low oil prices.

The Russian state Duma is expected to report British Daily Expressa planned to review the federal budget due to the large differences between revenue and expenses, which could lead to tax raising for individuals and businesses. The Russian intelligence service estimates that up to 30 percent of small and medium -sized enterprises in Russia are already on the verge of bankruptcy, and by the end of the year that number is expected to increase to 50 percent.

Economic and military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang was greatly strengthened after the start of Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Photo: Vladimir Smirnov/Reuters

Collaboration between Russia and North Korea thus remains closely on several levels, providing Pyongyang Moscow the necessary labor and military support in exchange for economic and probably other assistance, despite international sanctions considered both countries.