North Korean workers in Russia

More than 50,000 North Koreans are reportedly working in Russia, according to South Korean intelligence services cited by Nikkei Asia. This figure highlights the growing presence of North Korean laborers in the region, which has become a significant part of the country's economic strategy.

Economic impact of labor exports

Sending workers abroad has been a common practice for Pyongyang for more than 20 years, generating between 450 and 800 million dollars annually for the Kim Jong-un regime worldwide. This revenue stream is crucial for the North Korean economy, which faces severe international sanctions and limited access to global markets.

Online recruitment and working conditions

An investigation by the Netherlands-based non-governmental organization Global Rights Compliance (GRC) describes a system in which workers can be employed up to 18 hours per day, six to seven days per week. These conditions, while illegal under international labor standards, are part of a broader system designed to maximize productivity and minimize costs for the North Korean regime.

Wage withholding and foreign currency

North Korea would withhold 80 to 90 percent of their wages, making this labor force "one of the most reliable sources of foreign currency for Pyongyang." This practice ensures that the regime retains the majority of the earnings, using them to fund its operations despite the economic isolation imposed by sanctions.

Sanctions and smuggling networks

This labor force, prohibited by United Nations (UN) sanctions, is transported through a network managed from Moscow by businessman Vladimir Sokolov, who is targeted by European Union (EU) sanctions. Sokolov's involvement highlights the complex web of individuals and networks facilitating North Korean labor migration despite international restrictions.

Online advertisements and labor contracts

The Financial Times found on the site KNDR.su the advertisements from his group Black House, which offers companies teams "of 50 to 100 workers, available 12 hours per day and 28 days per month." These employees, the advertisement promises, "do not require any additional costs," emphasizing the economic appeal of this labor force to potential employers.