Reports indicate that a significant number of North Korean citizens are being dispatched to work in Russia, a move reportedly involving more than 50,000 individuals. This substantial influx of labor comes at a time when Russia is experiencing a considerable shortage in its domestic workforce, a situation further exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Accounts from some of these North Korean workers, shared with the BBC, describe their conditions as resembling forced labor. These testimonies often detail highly restrictive environments, exceptionally long working hours, and minimal personal freedoms. A recurring concern highlighted in these reports is that a substantial portion of their wages may be withheld or directly diverted to the North Korean state, leaving the laborers with little to no actual earnings for their efforts.
Such arrangements draw international scrutiny, particularly from human rights organizations, which express deep concerns over the potential for exploitation inherent in these labor agreements. Critics argue that while economic cooperation is presented as the primary objective, the actual beneficiaries of these programs appear to be the state entities rather than the individual workers, who face severe limitations on their autonomy and financial independence.
