The North Korean soldiers sent out to aid Russia not because of loyalty, but because they worked hard in exchange for food. Ten thousand soldiers, with 30 million US dollars a month, all of which goes to Pyongyang; those killed in battle will be given their pensions, but they will not come back.
The news that North Korea sent troops to Ukraine to assist Russia in fighting has attracted widespread attention around the world. This is not only a military cooperation, but also involves a complex political and economic game.
Whether it’s a shortage of troops from Russia or North Korea’s economic difficulties, cooperation between the two sides seems to be “everything needed.”
The Russian-Ukrainian war has been going on for quite a long time, and the prolonged fighting has left Russian serious troops short.
Although Russia mobilized a large number of troops at the beginning of the war, with the depth of the battle, the number of casualties increased drastically, and even the speed of supplementing troops could not keep up with the need for combat.
In this case, Russia has been forced to seek external help, and North Korea has just offered a solution.
Unlike Russian troops, North Korea is facing a more severe economic crisis.
Affected by sanctions, North Korea's economy has almost stagnated, and its demand for foreign exchange has become increasingly urgent. In order to solve domestic economic problems, North Korea urgently needs a large amount of foreign exchange to purchase necessities such as food, medicine and daily necessities.
In this case, North Korea's option is to send its troops to Russia in exchange for foreign exchange assistance.
According to various sources, the Russian government needs to pay three thousand dollars a month for each North Korean soldier sent.
Most of the money went to the treasury of the Pyongyang government, but the portion that the soldiers could get personally was insignificant.
However, even so, North Korea is still willing to risk sending troops, and the reasons behind this are obviously not just economic interests.
Russia gets troops, and North Korea gets foreign currencies, seem to have a win-win outcome, but this cooperation has its risks and uncertainties.
North Korea actually sends soldiers to the battlefield in Ukraine not only for money, but also in the hope that through this opportunity its military can "experience" the actual situation of modern warfare.
For a long time, North Korea's army has relied more on traditional warfare methods and weapons and equipment, and this cooperation with Russia has brought North Korean soldiers the opportunity to have direct contact with modern warfare.
For North Korea, this is an "experiential learning."
However, the role of North Korean soldiers as auxiliary forces also means that they are exposed to extremely high risks.
While their tasks do not involve direct front-line combat, as logistical safeguards and combat auxiliaries, they are still at risk of minor casualties.
There have been reports that there have been casualties among North Korean troops dispatched, and despite these circumstances being officially blocked by North Korea, the international community has no further information about it.
As soon as the news of North Korea sending troops to Ukraine came, the reaction of the international community could be said to be widely disseminated.
Some countries have expressed strong concern about the move, saying it is a signal of further alliance between North Korea and Russia, especially in the context of growing ties between the two countries.
Some countries, however, have expressed reluctance to do so, considering it to be merely compromises and deals for their own national interests.
Western countries are particularly sensitive to this reaction, because they have already imposed a series of sanctions on North Korea, believing that any military action by North Korea may be a threat to global security.
Russia, on the other hand, is trying to use this move to fill the vacancy in troops and continue to maintain control of the war situation in Ukraine.
Whether Russia can pay large amounts for North Korea in the long run is also a big question, after all, the resources for war are limited, and whether Russia can continue to bear this cost, remains unknown.
Despite the complex political and economic transactions behind this cooperation, it cannot be ignored that the cost of this war to ordinary soldiers is enormous.
Whether in Russia, North Korea or Ukraine, the soldiers on the front are almost on the brink of death.
Every soldier may be a victim on the battlefield. Behind them are not only the interests of the country, but also their families, relatives, and endless suffering.
In any case, the pain caused by war cannot be measured in money. For the soldiers involved, they are not only fighting for their country, but also for their own future and families.
North Korea sent troops to Ukraine to assist Russia in fighting. Behind this seemingly simple military cooperation is full of the complexity of exchange of interests.
North Korea is for foreign exchange, Russia is for soldiers, and the armies of the two countries have become reluctant "pawns" in this complicated game.
Whether North Korea or Russia, the ultimate goal is to maintain their own stability and interests, and for soldiers on the battlefield, their lives and future may have long been overshadowed by the shadow of war.
I hope this conflict will end as soon as possible, the soldiers can return home safely, and the cost of the war can be eliminated as soon as possible.
Source: China News Weekly--2025-08-23-- "Kim Jong Un personally welcomes the spirit!
The news that North Korea sent troops to Ukraine to assist Russia in fighting has attracted widespread attention around the world. This is not only a military cooperation, but also involves a complex political and economic game.
Whether it’s a shortage of troops from Russia or North Korea’s economic difficulties, cooperation between the two sides seems to be “everything needed.”
The Russian-Ukrainian war has been going on for quite a long time, and the prolonged fighting has left Russian serious troops short.
Although Russia mobilized a large number of troops at the beginning of the war, with the depth of the battle, the number of casualties increased drastically, and even the speed of supplementing troops could not keep up with the need for combat.
In this case, Russia has been forced to seek external help, and North Korea has just offered a solution.
Unlike Russian troops, North Korea is facing a more severe economic crisis.
Affected by sanctions, North Korea's economy has almost stagnated, and its demand for foreign exchange has become increasingly urgent. In order to solve domestic economic problems, North Korea urgently needs a large amount of foreign exchange to purchase necessities such as food, medicine and daily necessities.
In this case, North Korea's option is to send its troops to Russia in exchange for foreign exchange assistance.
According to various sources, the Russian government needs to pay three thousand dollars a month for each North Korean soldier sent.
Most of the money went to the treasury of the Pyongyang government, but the portion that the soldiers could get personally was insignificant.
However, even so, North Korea is still willing to risk sending troops, and the reasons behind this are obviously not just economic interests.
Russia gets troops, and North Korea gets foreign currencies, seem to have a win-win outcome, but this cooperation has its risks and uncertainties.
North Korea actually sends soldiers to the battlefield in Ukraine not only for money, but also in the hope that through this opportunity its military can "experience" the actual situation of modern warfare.
For a long time, North Korea's army has relied more on traditional warfare methods and weapons and equipment, and this cooperation with Russia has brought North Korean soldiers the opportunity to have direct contact with modern warfare.
For North Korea, this is an "experiential learning."
However, the role of North Korean soldiers as auxiliary forces also means that they are exposed to extremely high risks.
While their tasks do not involve direct front-line combat, as logistical safeguards and combat auxiliaries, they are still at risk of minor casualties.
There have been reports that there have been casualties among North Korean troops dispatched, and despite these circumstances being officially blocked by North Korea, the international community has no further information about it.
As soon as the news of North Korea sending troops to Ukraine came, the reaction of the international community could be said to be widely disseminated.
Some countries have expressed strong concern about the move, saying it is a signal of further alliance between North Korea and Russia, especially in the context of growing ties between the two countries.
Some countries, however, have expressed reluctance to do so, considering it to be merely compromises and deals for their own national interests.
Western countries are particularly sensitive to this reaction, because they have already imposed a series of sanctions on North Korea, believing that any military action by North Korea may be a threat to global security.
Russia, on the other hand, is trying to use this move to fill the vacancy in troops and continue to maintain control of the war situation in Ukraine.
Whether Russia can pay large amounts for North Korea in the long run is also a big question, after all, the resources for war are limited, and whether Russia can continue to bear this cost, remains unknown.
Despite the complex political and economic transactions behind this cooperation, it cannot be ignored that the cost of this war to ordinary soldiers is enormous.
Whether in Russia, North Korea or Ukraine, the soldiers on the front are almost on the brink of death.
Every soldier may be a victim on the battlefield. Behind them are not only the interests of the country, but also their families, relatives, and endless suffering.
In any case, the pain caused by war cannot be measured in money. For the soldiers involved, they are not only fighting for their country, but also for their own future and families.
North Korea sent troops to Ukraine to assist Russia in fighting. Behind this seemingly simple military cooperation is full of the complexity of exchange of interests.
North Korea is for foreign exchange, Russia is for soldiers, and the armies of the two countries have become reluctant "pawns" in this complicated game.
Whether North Korea or Russia, the ultimate goal is to maintain their own stability and interests, and for soldiers on the battlefield, their lives and future may have long been overshadowed by the shadow of war.
I hope this conflict will end as soon as possible, the soldiers can return home safely, and the cost of the war can be eliminated as soon as possible.
Source: China News Weekly--2025-08-23-- "Kim Jong Un personally welcomes the spirit!