Nikkei Asia: North Korea Rakes in War Profits, Aid to Russia for 3 Years Nears 1 Year's GDP
North Korea is estimated to have earned up to $13 billion over three years by supplying weapons and troops to Russia in exchange for foreign currency and energy, nearly equivalent to its annual GDP. This deepening reliance is highlighted by North Korea's military participation in Russia's WWII victory parade.
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- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 15:39
- 🔍 Collected: May 11, 2026 at 16:02 (22 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 11, 2026 at 19:42 (3h 40m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Seoul, 11th comprehensive foreign report) It is estimated that North Korea has gained unprecedented windfall profits from supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine. By providing weapons and troops in exchange for foreign currency and energy supplies, it has earned up to $13 billion within three years, which is almost equivalent to North Korea's entire annual gross domestic product (GDP).
According to Nikkei Asia, Russia held its annual parade on the 9th to commemorate the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. However, this year, the usual ground military equipment was not seen. Experts believe that Russia needs to deploy key weapons to the front lines of the war and is also worried about attacks from Ukraine.
North Korean troops participated in this parade for the first time, and this development shows that Moscow's dependence on Pyongyang is deepening as Russia faces a long-term shortage of military supplies.
North Korea's supply of materials to Russia came to light in 2022, the same year Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. After Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement in June 2024, Pyongyang increased the delivery of such materials and began sending troops.
According to estimates from a research institute under South Korea's National Intelligence Service, as of 2025, North Korea has shipped weapons worth between $7 billion and $13.8 billion. In addition to supplying rocket launchers and artillery shells, North Korea is believed to have also delivered nearly 250 KN-23 short-range ballistic missiles, which are reportedly developed with Russia's assistance.
In return, North Korea may have received not only foreign currency but also materials for weapons and military technology, in addition to daily necessities.
It is believed that Moscow has paid more than $600 million for the deployment of North Korean troops in just over a year since the autumn of 2024. According to a report by a South Korean lawmaker who visited Ukraine in February, about 10,000 North Korean special forces personnel remain in the combat zone. In addition, an estimated 10,000 engineers and hundreds of drone operators and troops are providing fire support on the front lines.
North Korea reportedly plans to send an additional 30,000 soldiers.
It is reported that these North Korean soldiers fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war can receive about $2,000 per month in remuneration, plus a death gratuity of up to $10,000. South Korea's National Intelligence Service report indicates that as of February, about 6,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded. (Compiled by: Li Peishan) 1150511
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(Central News Agency, Seoul, 11th comprehensive foreign report) It is estimated that North Korea has gained unprecedented windfall profits from supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine. By providing weapons and troops in exchange for foreign currency and energy supplies, it has earned up to $13 billion within three years, which is almost equivalent to North Korea's entire annual gross domestic product (GDP).
According to Nikkei Asia, Russia held its annual parade on the 9th to commemorate the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. However, this year, the usual ground military equipment was not seen. Experts believe that Russia needs to deploy key weapons to the front lines of the war and is also worried about attacks from Ukraine.
North Korean troops participated in this parade for the first time, and this development shows that Moscow's dependence on Pyongyang is deepening as Russia faces a long-term shortage of military supplies.
North Korea's supply of materials to Russia came to light in 2022, the same year Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. After Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement in June 2024, Pyongyang increased the delivery of such materials and began sending troops.
According to estimates from a research institute under South Korea's National Intelligence Service, as of 2025, North Korea has shipped weapons worth between $7 billion and $13.8 billion. In addition to supplying rocket launchers and artillery shells, North Korea is believed to have also delivered nearly 250 KN-23 short-range ballistic missiles, which are reportedly developed with Russia's assistance.
In return, North Korea may have received not only foreign currency but also materials for weapons and military technology, in addition to daily necessities.
It is believed that Moscow has paid more than $600 million for the deployment of North Korean troops in just over a year since the autumn of 2024. According to a report by a South Korean lawmaker who visited Ukraine in February, about 10,000 North Korean special forces personnel remain in the combat zone. In addition, an estimated 10,000 engineers and hundreds of drone operators and troops are providing fire support on the front lines.
North Korea reportedly plans to send an additional 30,000 soldiers.
It is reported that these North Korean soldiers fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war can receive about $2,000 per month in remuneration, plus a death gratuity of up to $10,000. South Korea's National Intelligence Service report indicates that as of February, about 6,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded. (Compiled by: Li Peishan) 1150511
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you provide is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news in real time.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or used without authorization.