SEOUL, South Korea — In a notable development, North Korea has committed to dispatch thousands of military construction workers and deminers to assist with reconstruction efforts in Russia’s Kursk region, according to Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu. This announcement on Tuesday underscores the deepening ties between North Korea and Russia amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.
North Korea has previously supported Russia in its conflict in Ukraine by sending combat troops and significant amounts of conventional weaponry. Reports indicate that North Korean troops and Russian forces collaborated to respond to Ukrainian incursions into the Kursk area earlier this year.
Following a one-day visit to Pyongyang, Shoigu confirmed that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un agreed to send 1,000 sappers to clear mines in the Kursk region, along with 5,000 military construction workers to aid in reconstruction efforts. While the Korean Central News Agency acknowledged the cooperation, it did not specifically mention the dispatch of construction workers and deminers as reported by Russian state media.
Shoigu expressed that this collaboration is seen as a form of “brotherly aid” from North Korea to Russia, stressing the agreement to continue constructive cooperation in restoring the Kursk region. Plans were also discussed for erecting memorials in both nations to honor North Korean soldiers who lost their lives in the region.
While the exact number of North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia remains undisclosed, estimates suggest that around 15,000 have been sent, with reports of approximately 600 casualties on the battlefront. The bolstering of ties between North Korea and Russia has raised concerns among the U.S., South Korea, and their allies, particularly regarding the potential for Russia to share advanced military technology with North Korea, which could enhance its nuclear and missile capabilities.
The situation has prompted reactions from multiple nations. South Korea’s Foreign Ministry criticized Russia for employing North Korean workers, highlighting a violation of U.N. sanctions prohibiting member states from issuing work permits to North Koreans. The U.S. State Department echoed these concerns, labeling Russia’s continued collaboration with North Korea as “deeply concerning.”
In response to these developments, South Korea, the U.S., and Japan conducted aerial training exercises off South Korea’s Jeju island, reinforcing their security cooperation in light of North Korea’s escalating nuclear threats.
The collaboration between North Korea and Russia signifies a significant shift in geopolitical dynamics, and as both nations face increasing pressures, their partnership may evolve into a more complex alliance.