Hundreds of thousands of tons of grain, technology and military assistance: Russia’s payment for aid from North Korea

4 November, 2024 The military of the DPRK (North Korea) on parade. Photo credits: kcna.kp Russian-North Korean military cooperation could turn into a trap of sanctions and tense relations with China for the DPRK.

The South Korean newspaper The Korea Herald reported on this, citing intelligence and officials. The National Intelligence Service of the Republic of Korea stated in its latest analysis that North Korea's costs of war seemed to outweigh the benefits. Other experts in Seoul say that Pyongyang can now count on Moscow for its help in possible unforeseen situations on the Korean Peninsula.

The DPRK military.

Photo credits: flickr.com

The Institute for National Security Strategy said that the DPRK's decision to send troops to Russia a few weeks before the US presidential election seemed to be based on the possibility of Donald Trump's victory and a quick end to the war. In a report published earlier, on October 22, the Institute for National Security Strategy argued that North Korea would lose value to Russia when the war would subside. When that moment arrives, North Korea, trapped by sanctions and strained relations with its traditional ally China, will no longer be able to count on Russian assistance.

Other South Korean officials believe that Russia could help the DPRK in a possible conflict on the Korean Peninsula, and that cooperation could continue after the war in Ukraine.

North Korean special forces during a military exercise. Photo: STR/AFP via Getty Images

In addition, it is believed that Moscow might use the DPRK as a "bargaining chip" in negotiations with Washington. "In the long run, North Korea will lose more than it will gain by joining the war with Russia," the Institute for National Security Strategy report says.

Payment for assistance in the war

According to the ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Russia, the financial and food crises in the DPRK are largely resolved thanks to Russian compensation for its contribution to the war.

The ambassador also added that Russia paid off the DPRK with grain crops. This allows North Korea to fight hunger among the population. "4 million tons of grain that North Korea says it produces per year is actually about 1 million tons short of what it needs to feed the country.

If Russia offers 600,000 to 700,000 tons of rice, it is enough to cover more than half of what North Korea needs to meet its annual demand," the ambassador said.

The soldiers of the North Korean army in Moscow, 2015. Photo credits: Despositphotos

Now that Russia is buying artillery shells from North Korea, much of the food shortage has likely been offset by the arms trade. Last week, the Institute for National Security Strategy reported that each North Korean soldier sent to fight on the side of Russia would receive a monthly salary of about £2,000.

At least 10,000 North Korean soldiers are believed to be headed to Ukraine, meaning an annual income of more than £200 million, the lawmaker said.

In addition, Russia is also believed to be helping North Korea with advanced space technology as Pyongyang seeks to launch another military reconnaissance satellite.