Delivery of 600-700 thousand tons of rice per year, payments of about 200 million dollars, as well as access to space technologies – this is what, according to South Korean media, Russia offers to North Korea in exchange for soldiers and military equipment. fight against Ukraine. The Kremlin may also offer military support to the Pyongyang regime in case of escalation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula, writes The Korean Herald.
The newspaper emphasizes that although the National Intelligence Service of South Korea assessed in its latest report that Pyongyang could do more harm than good by joining the war in Ukraine with Russia, but experts have a different opinion. According to the former ambassador of South Korea in Russia, Wi Sung Lak, the Korean Herald newspaper wrote that Russia's aid will help North Korea to overcome the consequences of the financial and food crisis.
President Vladimir Putin and the head of diplomacy of North Korea Cho Son Hui in the Kremlin PAP/EPA
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What benefits will the regime bring?
UN reports show that North Korean citizens working abroad are paid tens of dollars a month and the government in Pyongyang collects the rest.
An October NIS report shows that each North Korean soldier sent by Russia to the Ukrainian front receives a monthly salary of around $2,000. This is certainly more than the average income of North Korean citizens in Russia. On average, they earn $800 a month.
If Pyongyang sends at least 10,000 troops to the front, which Seoul intelligence estimates, it will pay the Kim Jong Un regime $200 million.
According to Seoul, North Korea has sent not only about 10,000 troops to the Ukrainian front, but also about 20,000 containers, which can hold more than 9 million 152mm rounds.
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According to Wi Sung Lak, Russia also supplies Pyongyang authorities with 600-700 thousand tons of rice every year, which covers more than half of its deficit.
Moscow should also help North Korea launch another military reconnaissance satellite. – It is known that North Korea is fighting for Russia. Wi Sung Lak said that if war ever breaks out on the Korean Peninsula, Pyongyang can expect Moscow to come to its aid.
Mutual defense agreement
In June of this year, the leaders of Russia and North Korea signed a mutual defense agreement. This document stipulates that in the event of an attack, the parties will provide immediate military assistance to each other.
The intelligence agency in Seoul estimates that Russia will treat North Korea as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the next US administration.
Main photo source: PAP/EPA
