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North Korea sent thousands of construction workers to Russia last year, according to South Korean intelligence.
In 2024, 13,200 North Korean workers entered Russia—12 times more than in 2023.
UN Security Council resolutions prohibit Pyongyang from sending its citizens to work abroad, but it circumvents the ban by using educational visas.
North Korea’s deployment of thousands of construction workers to Russia in 2024 marks a significant escalation in its efforts to secure foreign currency despite international sanctions.
This surge is particularly concerning because it violates United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, which prohibit Pyongyang from sending its citizens to work abroad to prevent the regime from earning hard currency that could fund its nuclear weapons and missile programs.
To circumvent these sanctions, North Korea and Russia have reportedly used educational visas instead of traditional work permits, allowing workers to stay legally while engaging in labor. This practice underscores the growing cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, especially as Russia faces labor shortages due to its ongoing war in Ukraine.
The increase in North Korean workers highlights broader geopolitical shifts, with Russia and North Korea strengthening ties in defiance of Western-led sanctions. In recent years, Russia has also been accused of providing military assistance to Pyongyang, while North Korea has allegedly supplied Russia with munitions for its war effort. These developments could trigger stronger responses from the international community, including potential new sanctions or diplomatic measures aimed at curbing these illicit activities.
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