How North Korea has profited from its support for Russia
Exceptionally high revenues, particularly from war aid for Russia, are consolidating the power of North Korea's autocratic leader. A small number of people in the country are benefiting from an economic boom.
North Korea has reaped significant financial benefits from its support for Russia's war against Ukraine. Satellite images show a marked increase in illuminated areas of the capital city Pyongyang, indicating the regime's focus on expanding electricity supply. Kim Jong Un announced plans to build 50,000 new apartments in 2021, and the construction of two 40-story apartment blocks shaped like ICBMs in the new neighborhood of Hwasong is evidence of this.
The city's modern appearance is reflected in the presence of imported cars, smartphone apps, department stores, and a 5-kilometer-long beach resort. North Korea has earned between $7.7 billion and $14.4 billion from the sale of munitions to Russia and the deployment of troops. Bloomberg Economics estimates that between 2022 and 2025, North Korea earned over $14 billion through military support for Russia.
The country also earned $8 billion through trade with China, workers' deployment to other countries, export business, and online criminality. Notably, North Korea's involvement in the conflict has improved its international standing, with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping visiting North Korea in recent months.
Written by urgent.news from DW English (Top Stories)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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