How North Korea has profited from its support for Russia

North Korea has experienced a surprising economic boom in recent years, primarily due to its role as a supplier of weapons and soldiers to Russia's war against Ukraine. Satellite images reveal that the illuminated urban area of Pyongyang has tripled in size, indicating a significant investment in electricity infrastructure. In 2021, Kim Jong Un announced plans to build 50,000 new apartments in the capital, with new high-rise districts now standing in the neighborhood of Hwasong.

The regime has also constructed the largest hospital in the country and a hothouse the size of New York's Central Park. Additionally, Pyongyang recently opened a five-kilometer-long beach resort on the east coast, capable of hosting 20,000 guests.

Experts believe North Korea is earning between $7.7 billion and $14.4 billion from selling munitions and deploying troops to Russia, with Bloomberg Economics estimating that the country generated over $14 billion through military support for Russia between 2022 and 2025. The country also brought in $8 billion through trade with China, North Korean labor exports, and online criminal activities.

A notable cyber attack against the ByBit platform in February 2025 resulted in the theft of $1.5 billion worth of Ethereum, highlighting the country's advanced hacking capabilities.

However, despite these economic gains, the benefits have not trickled down to the majority of North Koreans. Rising food prices and the devaluation of the won have hit hardworking families, forcing some women to enter the workforce to maintain their family's standard of living. While Kim Jong Un has gained greater political importance and military power, the economic upturn has not significantly improved the lives of the general population.