Thousands of North Koreans are allegedly enduring brutal working conditions in Russia as they fill a critical labor void intensified by the war in Ukraine. According to reports from various intelligence sources, more than 50,000 North Koreans are expected to work in Russia, with many being deployed to construction sites and factories where they face what can only be described as slave-like circumstances.
Interviews with former workers who managed to flee Russia have painted a grim picture. Workers, closely monitored by North Korean security agents, are reportedly subjected to long workdays that extend up to 18 hours, with only two days off a year. Testimonies highlight the fear permeating their daily lives, as they are warned against speaking to outsiders and are made to adhere to a regime that treats them akin to prisoners.
One escapee, identified only as Jin, recounted being escorted to a construction site where he was told explicitly that the outside world posed a threat. His harrowing experience included waking at dawn to work until the early hours of the next day, with injuries sustained on site disregarded by supervisors who fail to provide medical assistance. “Some people would leave their post to sleep in the day, but the supervisors would find them and beat them,” he said, illustrating the dire conditions many endure.
The current influx of North Korean laborers into Russia has reportedly increased drastically, with South Korean intelligence noting a significant uptick in the entry of workers despite United Nations sanctions aimed at halting North Korea's labor exportation. In 2024 alone, records show that over 13,000 North Koreans entered Russia, suggesting a coordinated effort by the Russian government to sidestep international restrictions.
Experts suggest that the employment opportunities these laborers seek represent a desperate attempt to escape the pervasive poverty back home, with financial gains often being sent directly to the North Korean regime as "loyalty fees." The dissonance between their expectations and the reality of their situation can be profound; many workers, upon realization of their exploitation, feel duped and demoralized. “I felt like I was in a labor camp; a prison without bars,” recounted one worker, highlighting a painful awareness of their status.
Despite the inhumane conditions, escape routes have remained open for a handful of individuals, though the risks have increased. As North Korean authorities impose stricter regulations on the movements of laborers—evidenced by heightened surveillance and less frequent amenable outings—the likelihood of successful escapes has plummeted. Some activists have noted a worrying trend of decreasing defection rates since 2022, reflective of a tightening grip by the regime.
As tensions continue amidst the Ukraine conflict, the association between North Korean workers and the Russian state reflects the complex and often troubling dynamics of labor, exploitation, and international politics. Experts assert that the relationship between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin may be defined by the influx of these workers, fundamentally tied to the ongoing crises in both nations.
