North Korea builds strategic alliance with Russian support
According to the South Korean daily " The Korean Herald, " Russian assistance to North Korea includes annual payments of $200 million, deliveries of 600,000 to 700,000 tonnes of rice per year, the provision of space technology, and possibly military support if tensions increase on the Korean Peninsula.
The newspaper emphasizes that although the South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) assessed in the latest report that Pyongyang might lose more than it gains by aligning with Russia in the war in Ukraine, other experts have differing opinions.
Money for soldiers
"The Korean Herald" quotes former South Korean ambassador to Russia, Wi Sung Lak, who believes that Russian aid will help North Korea mitigate the effects of its financial and food crisis.
According to the October NIS report, each North Korean soldier sent by Russia to the Ukrainian front will receive a monthly salary of about $2,000. If Pyongyang sends at least 10,000 military personnel, as estimated by intelligence in Seoul, this amounts to $200 million.
This is considerably more than the average earnings of North Korean citizens working in Russia. The NIS estimates they usually earn $800 a month. UN reports indicate that citizens of the DPRK working abroad earn several dozen dollars a month, with the majority taken by the government in Pyongyang.
According to information from Seoul, North Korea has sent not only about 10,000 soldiers to the Ukrainian front but also nearly 20,000 containers, which may contain over 9 million 6-inch calibre shells.
North Korea and Russia getting closer
According to Wi Sung Lak, Russia is also set to provide Pyongyang authorities with 600,000 to 700,000 tonnes of rice annually, covering over half of the shortages. Moscow is also expected to assist the DPRK in its efforts to launch another military reconnaissance satellite.
"It is known that North Korea is fighting for Russia. If war ever breaks out on the Korean Peninsula, Pyongyang can expect Moscow to come to its aid," Wi Sung Lak said.
In June, the leaders of Russia and the DPRK signed a mutual defense pact. The document stipulates that in the event of an attack, the parties will provide each other with immediate military assistance. Intelligence in Seoul also assesses that Russia will treat North Korea as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the next U.S. administration.
