Seoul: North Korea has dispatched approximately 5,000 construction troops to Russia since September to assist with “infrastructure reconstruction,” a South Korean lawmaker revealed following a briefing from Seoul’s intelligence agency. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been bolstered by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, gaining significant backing from Moscow by deploying thousands of troops to join Russian forces.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, South Korean lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun informed reporters that “around 5,000 North Korean construction troops have been moving to Russia in phases since September and are expected to be mobilised for infrastructure reconstruction.” He further mentioned that there are “continued signs of training and personnel selection in preparation for additional troop deployments.”
The South Korean intelligence agency informed lawmakers that an estimated 10,000 North Korean troops are currently stationed near the Russia-Ukraine border, as reported by Lee. South Korean estimates indicate that at least 600 North Korean soldiers have perished in the Ukraine conflict, with thousands more suffering injuries. Analysts suggest that North Korea is receiving financial aid, military technology, and supplies of food and energy from Russia in exchange for sending troops. This arrangement has allowed North Korea to circumvent stringent international sanctions related to its nuclear and missile programs, which were once pivotal in negotiations with the United States.
Since the 2019 summit between Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump failed over the scope of denuclearization and sanctions relief, North Korea has consistently asserted itself as an “irreversible” nuclear state. Despite a recent offer from Trump for a meeting, Pyongyang did not respond, opting instead for its Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui to visit Moscow, where discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin focused on enhancing bilateral relations.
Lee mentioned that Seoul’s intelligence agency believes Kim is open to dialogue with Washington “and will seek contact when the conditions are in place.” Although the proposed meeting with Trump did not transpire, “multiple signs suggest” that Pyongyang “had been preparing behind the scenes for possible talks with the US,” according to the lawmaker.
In September, Kim appeared alongside Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin at a grand military parade in Beijing, underscoring his elevated role in global politics. Last month, the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team, an international sanctions monitoring group, reported that North Korea planned to send “40,000 labourers to Russia, including several delegations of IT workers.” Under UN sanctions, North Korean workers are prohibited from earning money abroad.