Russia and North Korea: the renewed comradery.

Ukraine claims that North Korea could send up to 30 000 soldiers to help Russia. This news comes at a hard time for Ukraine. The U.S. announced a pause in military aid and President Poutine isn’t open to peace talks. At the same time, Russia is intensifying its drone and missiles attacks on Ukraine.

But why exactly is North Korea helping Russia in this war? Let’s take a look at these countries’ relationship and multi-layered alliance.

Historical context

North Korea and the Soviet Union had a strong relationship during the Cold War. The Soviets occupied North Korea, helped set up the regime and gave its support during the Korean war. But when the Soviet Union collapsed, the relationship weakened. When President Putin came to power, the ties slowly began to return. They grew stronger after 2008, when Russia was punished by the UN for its actions in Georgia. However, the war in Ukraine became the real turning point. That war pushed Russia and North Korea to build a much closer partnership.

Increased military cooperation

In June 2024, Russia and North Korea signed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty. It includes a mutual defense clause, meaning that they must support each other if attacked.

Later that year, North Korea sent over 11 000 soldiers to fight in the Kursk region. About 4 000 of them were killed or injured. This is the country’s first foreign deployment since the Korean War.

North Korea also supplied large quantities of materials: 

• Artillery shells,

• Rockets,

• Missiles.

North Korean supplies are assessed to make up over half of Russian artillery ammo used in Ukraine.

Pyongyang also sent thousands of workers to Russia to serve as workforce for the drone industry. Russia nearly doubled its output capacity and diversified from Iran’s supply.

In exchange, Russia transferred military technology to North Korea, including:

• Pantsir air-defense systems,

• Drones,

• Electronic warfare knowledge,

• Satellite imagery,

• Missile guidance.

Diplomatic, economic, and soft-power ties

On a diplomatic level, Russia and North Korea support each other. Their parliaments and diplomats often hold meetings. Both stand up against the West. Russia uses its veto power at the UN to block sanctions against North Korea. In return, North Korea supports Russia’s action in Ukraine. It even recognized Russia’s annexation of Crimea and did not stand against the latest invasion.

Their partnership goes beyond diplomacy and defense.

North Korean workers helped in many areas. About 6 000 deminers and construction workers are helping rebuild the city of Kursk. Thousands are also working in forests and mines in the Far East. The two countries also started student exchange programs.

On the economic side, Russia canceled 90% of North Korea’s cold war debt in 2012. That was about $10 billion. But trade rocketed after the war in Ukraine. It went from $3,8 million in 2022 to $52,9 million in 2025. North Korea mostly sells weapons to Russia. In return, it gets currencies, oil, gas, food, and technologies.

Russia is also building a rail bridge over the Tumen River connecting the two countries. This $111 million project aims at:

• Expand trade and economic cooperation,

• Increase transport volumes,

• Reduce logistic costs,

• Ensure reliable deliveries of various goods,

• Develop tourism.

What’s at stake for Pyongyang?

For North Korea, this partnership is key to the regime’s survival. It helps the country get around UN sanctions and trade bans. In return for weapons, North Korea gets fuel, food, and new technology. This help reduce shortages that could cause unrest among the people.

It is also a way to diversify its alliances and avoid dependance on China for trade and security. Indeed, China has been its main partner and protector for a long time.

This is also a chance for North Korea to gain modern combat experience. This cooperation boosts its missile accuracy, surveillance abilities and combat training.

This upgrade in its nuclear and military capabilities worry South Korea, Japan, and Western nations as it threatens regional security.

Decoding geopolitics isn’t a job. It’s survival.

Joy