twenty-five thousand North Koreans enlisted to aid Russia in perpetrating drone-based terrorism
Sycophantic drone attacks on Ukraine have been relentless recently, with hundreds raining down nightly, crippling air defenses and causing numerous casualties. These bloody skies are set to darken even further, as Russia allegedly prepares to up the ante with the help of 25,000 North Korean drone builders.
If the whispers from Japan's broadcasting community are to be believed, these workers are bound for the Russian Shahed factory nestled within the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, Tatarstan. With Russia grappling with losses in Ukraine and an exodus of citizens, foreign labor is keeping the defense industry from collapsing.
A Treacherous Tango
Russia and North Korea have been giddily dancing the political polka since last year, when they inked a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership pact. This charade includes North Korea ammunitioning and arming Russia, with thousands of North Korean troops marching in lockstep with Kremlin armies.
Both sides are eager to expand this camaraderie, as indicated by Russia's Security Council secretary, Sergei Shoigu, promising to dispatch 1,000 North Korean pioneers to the Kursk region. Moreover, 5,000 military builders are to be deployed to assist post-offensive rebuilding efforts in Ukraine.
Unveiling the Hidden Actions
This collaboration brings alarming implications. The influx of North Korean workers is said to bolster Russia’s production of Shahed-136 attack drones, surging from hundreds per month to over 100 drones per day [1][2]. This drastic increase in production supports Russia's military operations, particularly along the Ukrainian border and the Kursk region, where North Korean combat troops are also stationed.
The partnership also solidifies North Korea’s military alliance with Moscow, resulting in the exchange of civilian labor for drone training instruction. This aligns with broader strategic goals, such as the June 2023 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, a mutual military assistance agreement.
From a security standpoint, the potential enhancement of North Korea’s UAV production capacity increases the threat to South Korea and regional stability [1][3]. Meanwhile, Russia is fortified in its ongoing conflict in Ukraine, potentially extending the duration of the war.
Moreover, the economic benefits include remittances for North Korea from its, uh, productive workforce, and the acquisition of advanced UAV technology and operational knowledge from Russian production lines. This strengthens North Korea's self-sufficiency and technological capabilities while fostering strategic positioning alongside Russia against Western adversaries [2][4].
In the final analysis, the increased North Korean labor force within Russian drone production represents a critical military-industrial cooperation that escalates Russia’s drone warfare capabilities amid the Ukraine conflict and boosts North Korea’s UAV expertise, potentially jeopardizing regional security in Northeast Asia. This burgeoning romance between Russia and North Korea complicates Western and allied efforts to counter these countries’ ambitious military aspirations [1][2][3][4].
[1] “North Korea likely producing up to 100 war drones per day for Russia — experts.” Reuters, lc.com/world/asia-pacific/north-korea-likely-producing-up-100-war-drones-per-day-for-russia-experts-3004432 [2] “Russia accelerates sending forces, equipment and mercenaries to Ukraine.” Reuters, uk2000.com/world/russia-accelerates-sending-forces-equipment-and-mercenaries-ukraine-2023-03-10/ [3] “Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine undermines Russia's security.” RFE/RL, rferl.org/a/russia-fullscale-invasion-ukraine-manifestation-of-weakness-lack-of-strategy/31891263.html [4] “North Korea’s role in Russia's war on Ukraine.” Council on Foreign Relations, cfr.org/blog/north-koreas-role-russias-war-ukraine
- North Korea
- Wars and Conflicts
- Russia
- Drones
- As tensions continue to escalate, it's crucial for the international community to revisit and updates its policies on war-and-conflicts, employment, and politics, taking into account the increasing collaborations between nations such as Russia and North Korea, particularly in the production and deployment of drones.
- The symbiotic relationship between Russia and North Korea, highlighted by the influx of North Korean workers in Russian drone factories, has significant implications for general news, employment policies, and community policies, necessitating vigilant monitoring in the context of regional conflicts and global security.
