Russia-North-Korea alliance deepens amid rising tensions
According to the South Korean daily " The Korean Herald, " Russian support to North Korea reportedly includes annual payments of about £160 million, deliveries of approximately 600,000-700,000 tonnes of rice per year, the provision of space technology, and possibly military assistance in the event of increased tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
The newspaper points out that, although the South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) assessed in its latest report that Pyongyang might lose more than it gains by joining the war in Ukraine on Russia's side, other experts have a different opinion.
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 alleviate 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 is to receive a monthly salary of about £1,600. If Pyongyang sends at least 10,000 military personnel, as estimated by intelligence in Seoul, this equates to £160 million.
This is substantially more than the average earnings of North Korean citizens working in Russia. The NIS estimates that they typically earn about £630 a month. UN reports on this topic indicate that citizens of the DPRK working outside their country earn several dozen pounds a month, with the rest taken by the government in Pyongyang.
Information from Seoul suggests that North Korea has sent not only about 10,000 soldiers to the Ukrainian front but also nearly 20,000 containers, which may include over 9 million 155-mm calibre shells.
North Korea and Russia getting closer
According to Wi Sung Lak, Russia is also set to provide the Pyongyang authorities with 600,000-700,000 tonnes of rice annually, covering over half of the shortfalls. Moscow is also expected to assist the DPRK in 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 remarked.
In June, the leaders of Russia and the DPRK signed a mutual defence 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 suggests that Russia will treat North Korea as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the next U.S. administration.
