North Korea getting a raw deal on support for Russia’s war: Report

According to a study, Russia and North Korea have a lopsided agreement, with Moscow receiving far more support for its conflict in Ukraine than Pyongyang’s.

According to a report released by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation on Thursday, North Korea has been providing Russia with up to $ 9.8 billion in weapons and fighters since 2023, according to Unequal Partnership. The gains made by Pyongyang could be as little as $457 million to $1.19 billion, according to estimates.

The study examines North Korea’s and Russia’s growing military ties. The pair’s landmark mutual defense pact, which raised questions in the West, was signed last year.

However, the report notes that relations have “taken on a distinctly asymmetric character,” despite the fact that it also mentions the “remarkable momentum” of them.

Millions of artillery shells, rockets, and mortar rounds have been shipped by North Korea, as well as hundreds of artillery launchers and systems. Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, reportedly contributed about 15, 000 soldiers to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to the report.

Russia has only provided a small amount of aid, mostly consisting of food, fuel, air defense systems, and possibly some fighter jets.

Financial transactions appear largely locked within the Russian banking system, according to the report, which finds no significant inflows of hard currency into North Korea.

The foundation claimed that Pyongyang’s strategic gains come from closer alignment with a permanent member of the UN Security Council, as well as from closer economic reliance on its weapons.

The partnership poses a growing security risk, according to the study. It calls for more stringent regulations on dual-use technology, closer cooperation with South Korea and Japan, closing energy gaps, and strengthening diplomatic ties with Pyongyang.

Although it’s not known how many North Korean soldiers died in Russia’s conflict with Ukraine, South Korean newspaper NK News reports that about 2, 000 North Korean soldiers have died so far.

The North Korean leader met with the families of dead soldiers last month, offering condolences for their “unforgettable pain” and promising the bereaved “a beautiful life,” according to state media.

Since Kim and Vladimir Putin signed the military alliance in 2024, Kim and Putin have experienced significant increases in ties.