Rice, space technology and soldiers' salaries: media find out what and how much North Korea receives from russia

North Korean soldiers, whose deployment was recorded in the Kursk Oblast of the russian federation, where the operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is ongoing, will receive a monthly salary of about USD 2,000 each from the aggressor state of russia. In addition, the russian side will increase the supply of rice, which will help North Korea cover its shortage, and will also provide the country with space technology. At the same time, in case of "unforeseen circumstances" on the Korean Peninsula, the DPRK will be able to count on russia's help.

This was reported by The Korea Herald.

Thus, congressman, former ambassador of South Korea to the russian federation, Wi Sung-lac, said in an interview with the publication that joining the war against Ukraine is "not a bad deal at all" for North Korea.

Wi, who was briefed by South Korea's National Intelligence Agency as a member of the National Assembly's intelligence committee, explained that on the one hand, the country's financial and food crises are largely being solved by russian compensation for its contribution to the war effort.

In particular, last week intelligence told the Assembly that each North Korean soldier sent to fight on the side of russia will receive a monthly salary of about USD 2,000. At least 10,000 North Korean soldiers are believed to be on their way to Ukraine, representing an annual revenue of more than USD 200 million, the lawmaker said.

According to South Korean intelligence, in addition to the troops, there are currently about 4,000 North Korean workers in russia. Their average salary is about USD 800 per month.

Also, Wi noted that, according to the statement of the DPRK itself, on average, the country produces about 4 million tons of grain, such as rice, barley and wheat. However, he emphasized that the majority of North Korea's "rice production" is actually potatoes, and rice is less than a third of the total.

"The 4 million tons of grain that North Korea says it produces annually is actually about 1 million tons short of what is needed to feed the country. If russia offers 600,000 to 700,000 tons of rice, that's enough, to cover more than half of North Korea's annual demand," he said.

The deputy recalled that in the past, russia sent 50,000 to 100,000 tons of rice to North Korea at one time.

"Thus, we can say that 600,000 tons is a little more than the rice aid they received from russia before," he said.

According to him, even now, due to russia's purchase of artillery shells from the DPRK, a significant part of the food shortage "was probably compensated by the arms trade."

"By selling a few containers of artillery shells, Pyongyang can afford much more than hundreds of thousands of tons of rice," Wi explained.

In addition, South Korean intelligence has told the Assembly that russia is also believed to be helping North Korea with advanced space technology as Pyongyang seeks to launch another military reconnaissance satellite.

The publication said that the "sweetest part" of the deal that North Korea will get is likely to be that russia will fight side by side with it in the event of unforeseen circumstances on the Korean Peninsula.

"North Korea fought on the side of russia. If there is ever a war on the Korean peninsula, North Korea can count on russia to come to its aid," Wi said.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, the Center for Countering Disinformation reported that the Defense Forces of Ukraine inflicted the first casualties on the servicemen of the North Korean army sent to participate in the war on the side of the aggressor country of russia.

It will be recalled that the head of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin, explained what will happen if the North Korean soldiers sent to russia are killed by Ukraine with weapons provided by the United States.

Meanwhile, the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reports that the North Korean troops deployed to areas near Ukraine received russian weapons intended for infantry.

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