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The original was posted on /r/ukraine by /u/Freewhale98 on 2025-06-20 10:41:22+00:00.
On June 17, Russian media reported that North Korea will dispatch 1,000 military engineers and 5,000 construction personnel to aid in the reconstruction of Russia’s Kursk region. According to the reports, Sergey Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian Security Council, disclosed this to reporters after meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during his visit to Pyongyang. Previously, North Korea had deployed 11,000 combat troops in October of last year and 4,000 more between January and February of this year to support Russia’s war in Ukraine. Including the new group of engineers and laborers, North Korea will have sent a total of 21,000 personnel to support Russia—deepening what analysts are calling a growing “honeymoon” phase in the North Korea–Russia alliance.
Shoigu stated that the engineering units would be involved in mine-clearing and reconstruction work in the Kursk region—a southern Russian territory that was temporarily captured by Ukraine during a counteroffensive in August 2023 but has since been largely reclaimed by Russian forces. He described the deployment as “a fraternal gesture from the people of North Korea and Chairman Kim Jong-un,” and noted that the work would begin soon.
The South Korean government is closely watching the situation, noting the potential for North Korea to gain additional economic benefits and military technology transfers through this reconstruction effort. A South Korean military official commented, “North Korea has already gained significant economic benefits from sending combat troops, and those benefits will likely increase through participation in post-war reconstruction,” adding that military tech transfers are also expected to accelerate.
** Kim Jong-un Joins Reconstruction Projects—Further Tech Transfers Likely**
Sergey Shoigu has visited Pyongyang twice this month alone—on the 4th and again on the 17th. Russian media report that he was acting on a special directive from President Vladimir Putin. According to TASS and other outlets, Shoigu discussed the deployment of engineering personnel and ways to commemorate North Korean soldiers killed in Ukraine during his recent meeting with Kim Jong-un.
Because this latest deployment involves engineers rather than combat troops, it is expected to generate steady and substantial economic gains for North Korea. Shin Beom-chul, former Vice Minister of South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense, stated, “Russia appears to have fulfilled its military needs from North Korea, and is now seeking help in reconstruction. Compensation for these efforts will likely go to North Korea.” He added that the relationship between Pyongyang and Moscow is shifting from purely military cooperation to economic collaboration. “North Korea’s support for Russia allows it to receive not only military technology but also economic aid—thus helping it circumvent the impact of international sanctions,” he explained. “This may weaken the bargaining power of the U.S. and South Korea in future negotiations on North Korea’s nuclear program.”
Analysts also suggest that North Korea, having gained wealth through its alliance with Russia, is unlikely to pursue better relations with the United States. One South Korean defense official noted, “Recently, Kim Jong-un rejected a personal letter from former U.S. President Donald Trump—likely to signal North Korea’s strategic bet on Russia and show the world that it no longer feels the need to rely on improving relations with the U.S.”
North Korea has already gained considerable financial rewards from its troop deployments to the Ukraine war. According to Im Soo-ho, a senior research fellow at the Institute for National Security Strategy, North Korea earned up to 1.8 trillion KRW (approx. $1.3 billion USD) annually from its first deployment, through salaries and enlistment bonuses. If North Korea participates in post-war reconstruction, its economic gains could exceed those from combat deployment alone.
Military tech transfers from Russia to North Korea are also expected to speed up. Within the past year, North Korea has constructed two 5,000-ton class destroyers—Choe Hyon-ho and Kang Gun-ho—believed to be “North Korean Aegis destroyers” based on Russian radar and design technology. During a launch ceremony last month, the Kang Gun-ho reportedly capsized in front of Kim Jong-un, and repairs may now require Russian assistance.
The United Nations Multinational Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) recently reported that Russia has provided various weapons and military technologies to North Korea in exchange for its troop support in Ukraine, constituting violations of UN Security Council resolutions. According to the MSMT, Russia transferred the Pantsir air defense system—designed to intercept drones—to North Korea in November 2024.
Russia is also said to have handed over electronic warfare equipment and GPS-jamming technology, which North Korea has used to disrupt communications in South Korea, affecting cell towers, aircraft, and ships. Concerns are growing that these new capabilities may escalate North Korea’s electronic warfare provocations.
Russia has reportedly transferred data and guidance technology related to ballistic missiles as well. North Korea has long struggled with reentry technology for its intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), but this deficiency may now be addressed through Russian assistance. Last month, North Korea revealed a live-fire test of a new medium-range air-to-air missile, believed to incorporate Russian technology.
