According to North Korean state media (KCNA), on December 13, 2023, officials of North Korea’s Ministry of Economy hosted Oleg Kojemyako, the Governor of Russia’s Far East, in Pyongyang in order to increase economic cooperation with Moscow. This meeting coincided with a period of increasing concerns in South Korea. Because there have been growing concerns that North Korea is trying to export workers to Russia to finance leader Kim Jong Un’s nuclear weapons program in order to stimulate its economy in violation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.[1]
Prior to the visit, Kojemyako told Russian media that he hoped to expand cooperation with the North Koreans on agriculture, tourism and trade issues. Kojemyako’s visit is the continuation of a series of diplomatic efforts that have taken place between North Korea and Russia later this year. Dec. September Dec Dec also included a summit between Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This shows that the two countries are getting closer to each other.[2]
The United States and South Korea have claimed that North Korea has supplied artillery shells and other weapons to Russia in recent months, suggesting that this supply has helped support the country’s war against Ukraine. However, both Russia and North Korea have denied the existence of such a transfer. There are also concerns that North Korea is preparing to send workers to Russia.[3] This may be a move to provide foreign currency to the country’s struggling economy, which may fall foul of the UNSC sanctions imposed on North Korea related to its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
On December 12, 2023, the United States announced that it would impose sanctions on more than 250 individuals and organizations related to Russia’s war against Ukraine. At the same time, some shipping companies have also been sanctioned for their involvement in the transfer of ammunition between North Korea and Russia. Dec. In a message sent to journalists on December 12, 2023, the South Korean National Intelligence Service stated that it had detected North Korea’s preparations to send workers to Russia. However, the agency has not provided details on what these signs are.[4]
At a press conference in Seoul, South Korean Unification Minister Kim Yung Ho said that their government is monitoring whether Russia accepts more North Korean workers. “Sending North Korean workers to Russia would be a clear violation of UNSC resolutions, ” the minister said. As a permanent member of the Security Council, Russia has a responsibility to honestly implement the council’s sanctions.” he must have said.[5]
Last year, North Korea showed interest in sending construction workers to help rebuild Russian-backed breakaway regions. This idea was openly supported by senior Russian officials and diplomats, who envisioned a cheap and hard-working workforce. Because this labor force could be used against harsh conditions.[6]
These developments reflect North Korea’s attempt to increase economic cooperation with Russia and at the same time confirm South Korea’s concerns. The potential of North Korea to send workers to Russia shows that it tends to pierce international sanctions in a way that contradicts UNSC resolutions.
It can be said that diplomatic contacts between North Korea and Russia, and the consolidation of these contacts through economic cooperation, are part of the efforts of both countries to cope with international isolation. Dec. Especially in the search for solutions to North Korea’s economic difficulties, the opportunities for cooperation offered by Russia seem to have become attractive.
South Korea claims that North Korea’s attempt to send workers to Russia may be in violation of UNSC sanctions. This could further strain North Korea’s relations with the international community. In addition, these claims of the United States and South Korea also cause concern in terms of regional security dynamics.
Russia’s rapprochement with North Korea may affect the balance in the region and increase tensions in its relations with the United States. It is believed that Russia can use these relations with North Korea as a strategic tool to direct the political and economic dynamics in the region and shape the balance of power.
The reaction of the international community focuses on North Korea’s attempts to pierce sanctions and how these efforts affect international security. In particular, the US application of sanctions against these developments may cause North Korea to face greater isolation financially and economically.
As a result, North Korea’s economic cooperation efforts with Russia may affect regional and international dynamics.
[1] “North Korean and Russian Officials Discuss Economic Ties as Seoul Raises Labor Export Concerns”, Associated Press News, https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-russia-workers-sanctions-8eeb0fc8c5cc2762591edd36a06cbb01, (Date Accession: 14.12.2023).
[2] “North Korean and Russian Officials Discuss Economic Ties as Seoul Raises Labor Export Concerns”, Yahoo Finance, https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/north-korean-russian-officials-discuss-032022286.html, (Date Accesion: 14.12.2023).
[3] “North Korean and Russian Officials Discuss Economic Ties as Seoul Raises Labor Export Concerns”, ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/north-korean-russian-officials-discuss-economic-ties-seoul-105610299, (Date Accession: 14.12.2023).
[4] “North Korean and Russian Officials Discuss Economic Ties as Seoul Raises Labor Export Concerns”, Associated Press News, https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-russia-workers-sanctions-8eeb0fc8c5cc2762591edd36a06cbb01, (Date Accession: 14.12.2023).
[5] Ibıd.
[6] Ibıd.
