IRIA News

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North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un has announced plans to send 6,000 military construction workers to Russia to help rebuild the Kursk Region. The announcement came during the meeting between North Korean leader Kim and Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu in Pyongyang.

North Korea plans to send 5,000 military builders and 1,000 combat engineers to Russia’s Kursk region after a Ukrainian incursion earlier this year, which North Korean forces reportedly assisted Russia in repelling.

“Chairman of the State Affairs of the DPRK Kim Jong Un has decided to send 1,000 sappers to Russia to clear mines on Russian territory, as well as 5,000 military construction workers to restore infrastructure destroyed by the occupiers,” Shoigu said, adding that both countries also plan to build memorials for the Korean soldiers who died in the fighting in the Kursk Region.

Russia’s top security official Sergei Shoigu visited Pyongyang at a significant time marking the first anniversary of the conclusion of the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Russia and North Korea.

“Based on the clear understanding of the current situation in the special military operation zone and the Kursk Region, Comrade Kim Jong Un determined cooperation aspects under the treaty,” the KCNA added.

According to KCNA, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, during his meeting with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, reiterated support for Russia’s policy aimed at protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Russia’s TASS news agency reported that “The entire conversation took place in a friendly, trust-based and warm atmosphere,” the agency noted. Shoigu delivered a verbal message from Russian President Vladimir Putin to Kim, who, in turn, conveyed his comradely greetings to the Russian leader [Putin].”

Russia’s Shoigu and North Korean leader Kim widely exchanged the views and opinions of the leaderships of the two countries on the issues of mutual concern including the complicated international and regional situation and reached a consensus of view, KCNA reported. 

Shoigu’s Trip to Pyongyang

Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu arrived in Pyongyang on June 17, on special instructions from President Vladimir Putin, to discuss a wide range of issues. This was Shoigu’s third visit to North Korea in the past three months.

Shoigu said, “The pace that has been set in the implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreement, of course, requires constant attention and regular adjustments and decision-making at all levels.”

“The talk appreciated again the important meaning of the conclusion of the treaty on comprehensive strategic relationship between the DPRK and Russia and discussed the items of immediate cooperation and long-term plans arising in implementing the important matters agreed by the heads of states of the two countries through the exchanges of personal letters for several weeks,” KCNA reported.

During his trip to Pyongyang, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu also held consultations with vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) Pak Jong-chon.

According to reports, Shoigu also discussed Russia’s stance over ongoing Iran-Israel conflict and briefed North Korean officials about the situation. Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, when asked by reporters about the possibility of Russia and North Korea discussing the ongoing war between Israel and Iran, said, “If our Korean friends are interested in hearing our views, I think we will share them in detail.”

North Korea’s Involvement in Russia-Ukraine War

Approximately 10,000 North Korean infantry troops have been deployed in Russia to fight Ukrainian forces. The Korean soldiers have been deployed to the frontlines, mostly in the Kursk region, to support Russian forces near the Ukrainian border.

Earlier this year, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has reported that approximately 300 North Korean soldiers have been killed and another 2,700 injured while fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. The conflict in the Kursk region has seen both gains and losses for Ukrainian forces. Ukrainian troops have faced a strong counteroffensive from Russia.

South Korea’s spy agency highlighted that North Korean soldiers have been struggling to adapt to the complexities of modern warfare, particularly the use of drones and advanced surveillance technologies.

The challenges have been exacerbated by the unsophisticated strategies employed by their Russian commanders, who have reportedly sent them into assault campaigns without adequate rear-fire support. Documents found on deceased soldiers indicated they were instructed to commit suicide rather than be captured.

North Korea’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict has added a new layer of complexity to the war, raising questions about Pyongyang’s motivations and strategic interests. Analysts suggest that North Korea may be seeking economic or military support from Russia in exchange for its troops, as international sanctions and isolation continue to cripple its economy.

North Korea has provided Russia with millions of artillery shells and thousands of soldiers to aid its war efforts in Ukraine. North Korean Leader has expressed unconditional support for Russia’s actions, raising concerns among South Korean and Western officials that Pyongyang might be receiving advanced military technology and economic support from Moscow in return.