Why Did Kim Jong-un Decide to Deploy Troops to the Russia-Ukraine War? Was It for Money, or Is There a Hidden Motive?
As North Korea's deployment of troops to Russia becomes increasingly evident, Sisa Journal has uncovered the inner workings behind this decision through human intelligence gathered from high-ranking officials in North Korea’s Workers’ Party and current and former officers in the deployed units. Investigations reveal that North Korea agreed to send around 12,000 special forces soldiers in exchange for an initial payment of 60 billion KRW (approx. USD 45 million) for one month’s deployment. If the deployment extends or the troop count increases, North Korea could gain an annual sum of up to 720 billion KRW (approx. USD 540 million).
Concerns are growing that this deployment could significantly strengthen North Korea's military. In addition to financial compensation, North Korea is reportedly receiving advanced nuclear missile technology, food, and fuel from Russia. This opportunity might transform North Korea's aging special forces, which previously only underwent indoctrination and physical training in secluded mountain regions, into modern forces experienced in drone warfare and specialized for contemporary combat.
An anonymous intelligence source familiar with North Korea’s military stated to Sisa Journal, “Russia aims to change the battlefield dynamics with North Korea’s support, while North Korea sees this deployment as a final step toward ‘nuclear force enhancement.’ Isolated from the international community, North Korea seeks to secure more funds and nuclear technology from Russia. There is a possibility that next year’s deployment could double to around 30,000 troops.”
Human Intelligence from Current and Former Members of North Korea’s Deployment Units
Nearly 900 days have passed since the Russia-Ukraine war began, and a third winter has arrived on the battlefield. Contrary to initial expectations, the military giant Russia is struggling due to strong Ukrainian counterattacks and logistical issues, which have prolonged the conflict. Facing chronic troop shortages, Russia has resorted to using monetary incentives to recruit both local and international mercenaries. Advertisements across Moscow now offer new recruits an annual salary of 5.2 million rubles (around 7.4 million KRW or USD 5,500).
In this context, North Korea, struggling with economic hardship, has taken Russia's bait. South Korea's Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite captured images on October 12 of a Russian vessel transporting North Korean troops at Cheongjin Port. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also acknowledged North Korea’s deployment, referring to it as an act of hostility. President Zelensky received a report from Chief Commander Oleksandr Syrsky on October 22, revealing that two brigades, totaling around 6,000 North Korean soldiers, were undergoing training.
South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) confirmed the deployment, estimating that around 3,000 North Korean troops have already moved to Russia, with the total expected to reach 10,000 by December. The NIS estimates that North Korean soldiers receive about USD 2,000 monthly, equivalent to around 2.7 million KRW per individual.
However, Sisa Journal's investigation with high-level sources in North Korea's military suggests that North Korea’s total earnings from this deployment may surpass the NIS's estimates. The investigation confirmed that North Korea’s “Storm Corps” (11th Corps), comprising 12,000 special forces soldiers, has been deployed. While the soldiers receive a base monthly wage of USD 2,000, similar to the NIS's findings, additional allowances push their wages to nearly 5 million KRW (USD 3,700) per month, with officers promised higher compensation.
However, it appears that these payments are controlled by the North Korean Workers' Party, rather than the deployed soldiers. An insider familiar with North Korea’s military affairs stated, “The deployed soldiers won’t have access to the money. It’s known that the North Korean military promised to use some of the funds from Russia to improve conditions for deployed soldiers.” The source added, “The payment is made monthly, amounting to a minimum of 60 billion KRW in cash and equivalent material support.”
Should North Korean troops remain on the battlefield for a full year, North Korea would earn at least 720 billion KRW (USD 540 million). The risk escalates if the deployment expands or the war continues, as North Korea could potentially secure additional astronomical revenue or military resources.
Kim Jong-un’s Broader Ambitions: Money, Nuclear Technology, and Defense Reform
Analysts highlight the timing of this deployment. North Korea is approaching the end of its “Five-Year Plan for National Defense Science and Weapons Development,” announced in 2021. The regime has worked to miniaturize nuclear warheads, develop nuclear submarines, and create hypersonic glide missiles. However, international sanctions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a shortage of technical experts have reportedly hampered these efforts. Experts speculate that North Korea might have requested advanced nuclear weapon technology from Russia as part of its compensation. From Russia’s perspective, offering intangible assets like technology might be easier and faster than tangible compensation.
There is also speculation that North Korea is seeking to address its severe energy and food shortages through this deployment. International sanctions over five years have worsened North Korea’s electricity and oil crises. Despite its own wartime challenges, Russia remains a leading oil producer and a major grain exporter. In February, the South Korean Ministry of National Defense reported that North Korea provided Russia with millions of artillery shells, with Russia responding by sending food aid to North Korea.
According to a source who communicated with North Korean contacts, “Next year is the final year of North Korea’s five-year defense reform plan. They need to showcase achievements publicly, but they haven’t yet mastered atmospheric re-entry technology for ICBMs or completed their nuclear submarine. This deployment may be North Korea’s way of addressing these gaps.” The source continued, “North Korea is expected to secure oil as well. The current food and resource shortages are the worst in recent history.”
Another analysis suggests North Korea aims to provide its so-called “MZ Generation” units (born from the early 1980s to early 2010s) with real-world combat experience. The NIS reports that the deployed soldiers are receiving special training in using military equipment and operating drones. The NIS recently informed the National Assembly Intelligence Committee that “Russian instructors evaluated North Korean troops participating in training as physically fit and highly motivated but lacking in understanding of modern warfare tactics, such as drone attacks.”
A North Korean military source stated, “The deployed soldiers are special forces from the ‘Storm Corps,’ usually trained in the isolated Daecheon region. They are fully indoctrinated with a commitment to protect the supreme leader, even to the point of self-sacrifice with ‘nuclear backpacks’ in emergencies.” The source expressed concerns that “this deployment experience could transform North Korea’s special forces into combat-ready units.”