The North Korean leader hadn’t thought in advance that he ordered 10,000 troops to help Russia, and that there would be so many “unexpected joys.”
From the current point of view, there is undoubtedly a fairly clear exchange of interests when North Korea sends troops to Russia to help Russia recapture Kursk Oblast.
Russia needs North Korea’s vital forces to participate in the battle, while North Korea harvests energy, resources, and military technology from Russia.
Only, even the Korean side did not think at the beginning, from the outcome, they also harvested a "unexpected joy" from the issue of military Russia.
At a recent high-level meeting, North Korean leaders deliberately delivered a short article outlining some of the “excellent things” that are happening in North Korea.
Three surprising benefits of North Korea's military service to Russia
When the North Korean leader decided to send 10,000 people to help Russia fight, I'm afraid he didn't expect this to bring so many unexpected benefits.
Looking at it now, North Korea sent troops to help Russia take back Kursk Oblast, and the exchange of interests between the two sides is actually very clear-if Russia lacks people who can fight, North Korea will send troops; In return, Russia gives North Korea energy, resources and military technology.
But in fact, in addition to these obvious benefits, North Korea has received a lot of additional surprises.At the recent high-level meeting, the North Korean leaders spent a lot of time speaking about the good news in the country, and these good news are actually linked to the outgoing Russia.
More money than you think.
In these years, North Korea has been subject to external sanctions, foreign trade is difficult, and economic development has not been smooth. In 2023, North Korea exports $3.3 billion, but imports cost $24.4 billion, trade deficit has been going bigger, economically it would be very difficult. but this time Russia, the economic income to North Korea is much more than expected.
The New York Times also cited analysis by Korean Foreign Language University researcher Orena Gusenova that North Korea relies on military aid to Russia and has earned at least $5.5 billion.
There are still more than 10,000 North Korean soldiers fighting in Russia, and Russia is likely to give North Korea about $572 million in "hard work".
Although these figures have not been officially confirmed by the two countries, clues can be seen from some aspects-Western satellites have photographed that the number of oil tankers sailing from Russia to North Korea is much more than allowed by United Nations sanctions. These extra oil is most likely Russia's "reward" to North Korea.
For North Korea, this money is too important. In the past, when North Korea bought crude oil, food and other necessary things internationally, it was either short of money or restricted by sanctions, and it was often unable to buy them.
With this income, we can not only alleviate the problem of insufficient materials, but also invest more money in the construction of domestic infrastructure and people's livelihoods in these areas.
And Russia and North Korea do business often using the "easy" way, Russia has crude oil, grain, directly shipped to North Korea, just solved North Korea's burning urgency, a "strengthening agent" for the stable development of the North Korean economy.
Military technology has been improved at once
North Korea has always attached great importance to enhancing its military strength. After all, it depends on this to safeguard national sovereignty and security. This time, North Korea sent troops to Russia. Through military cooperation with Russia, North Korea acquired a lot of advanced technologies, and its military level made a qualitative leap.
Previously, North Korea's military equipment and technology were not very advanced, although it could engage in missiles, but in drones, cruise missiles and advanced weapons, the world's top level is still less than the same.
With this cooperation with Russia, North Korea can not only get in touch with these advanced weapons, but also learn manufacturing technology. It is reported that Russia intends to provide nuclear submarine technology to North Korea, and western media also say that North Korea will soon get Russian Su-27, Su-35 and MiG-29 fighter jets.
Although these claims have not been fully confirmed, North Korea has continued to launch new types of intercontinental ballistic missiles in recent years, which is visible to the public, and there is external technical support behind it, which can also indicate that North Korea and Russia's cooperation in military technology has indeed been fruitful.
Before Kim Jong-un went to guide the research institute of the Korean Academy of Defense Sciences, he also specially boasted - because of the success of directed infrared rays, electrical wave interference equipment, and active defense complexes and things, the battle force of the North Korean armored forces put up a lot.
These technologies can be developed, which is inseparable from the technical assistance given by Russia. Next, North Korea will definitely follow the Labor Party's line of strengthening the army and continue to promote the modernization of military technology, and Russia's support will undoubtedly help North Korea go smoother on this road.
The diplomatic situation has changed a lot
The decision to leave Russia has also made a major breakthrough in North Korea's diplomacy, and the poor diplomatic situation has improved a lot before.
The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty signed by North Korea and Russia is an important diplomatic reliance for North Korea. With this treaty, North Korea can bypass US sanctions on many international issues and reduce a lot of external pressure.
For example, the United Nations sanctions stipulate how much oil North Korea can import, but Russia simply ignores this restriction and still sends oil to North Korea.
With Russia at the forefront, other countries with good relations with Russia, probably will also follow, either directly doing business with North Korea, or through Russia as an intermediary to do trade with North Korea, so North Korea's foreign trade channels will be more.
Now the international situation is already tense, and some third world countries with poor relations with the West, seeing the performance of the North Korean army on the Russian-Ukrainian battlefield, have also started to actively seek North Korea to deal with.
These countries have their own weak military strength, and seeing the North Korean army can fight, they may learn how Russia looks and hire the North Korean army to fight for themselves.
In this way, North Korea will not only have more speech in the international military sphere, but will also expand its diplomatic circle and have the opportunity to establish ties and cooperate with more countries.
Generally speaking, North Korea's decision to send troops to Russia has brought many unexpected benefits to North Korea from three key aspects: economy, military affairs and diplomacy.
These benefits will continue to help North Korea develop and make North Korea's international status higher and higher.
Source of information:
Kim Jong-un: North Korea’s military combat capabilities are “unprecedentedly strengthened”
China News Network-North Korea confirms sending troops to Russia to help recover Kursk