North Korea-Russia migration surge points to covert military and labor moves



Analysis North Korea-Russia migration surge points to covert military and labor moves Experts say Pyongyang may be using student visas to evade sanctions as Moscow appears to be concealing military movement Anton Sokolin February 13, 2025 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON North Korean soldiers at a construction site in Kaesong in April 2018 \| Image: NK Pro A record number of North Koreans entered Russia as students last year, NK Pro analysis of official migration data shows, as South Korea alleges Pyongyang dispatched thousands of DPRK construction workers across Russia in violation of U.N. sanctions. In 2024, North Korea set two new records, sending 13,221 nationals to Russia — a 12-fold increase from the previous year — with 7,887 entering as students, the highest number since 2019, according to data from Moscow’s Federal Security Service (FSB). And according to South Korea’s Ministry of Unification and National Intelligence Service, Pyongyang dispatched thousands of these visitors to Read More © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. LATEST ANALYSIS 01North Korea-Russia migration surge points to covert military and labor moves 02Chronic delays plague basic North Korean construction projects, imagery shows 03North Korea’s procurement of cars, diamonds highlights extensive trade network 04North Korea deepens Belarus relations but keeps focus on Moscow and Washington 05North Korea starts new project at large-scale military training base 06How North Korea could leverage China’s DeepSeek AI model for military, cyber ops 07North Korea lets slip where special forces trained before Russia deployment 08Trump’s first-week overtures on North Korea are unlikely to entice Kim Jong Un

Analysis

North Korea-Russia migration surge points to covert military and labor moves

Experts say Pyongyang may be using student visas to evade sanctions as Moscow appears to be concealing military movement

Anton Sokolin February 13, 2025

North Korea-Russia migration surge points to covert military and labor moves

North Korean soldiers at a construction site in Kaesong in April 2018 | Image: NK Pro

A record number of North Koreans entered Russia as students last year, NK Pro analysis of official migration data shows, as South Korea alleges Pyongyang dispatched thousands of DPRK construction workers across Russia in violation of U.N. sanctions.

In 2024, North Korea set two new records, sending 13,221 nationals to Russia — a 12-fold increase from the previous year — with 7,887 entering as students, the highest number since 2019, according to data from Moscow’s Federal Security Service (FSB).

And according to South Korea’s Ministry of Unification and National Intelligence Service, Pyongyang dispatched thousands of these visitors to

01North Korea-Russia migration surge points to covert military and labor moves
02Chronic delays plague basic North Korean construction projects, imagery shows
03North Korea’s procurement of cars, diamonds highlights extensive trade network
04North Korea deepens Belarus relations but keeps focus on Moscow and Washington
05North Korea starts new project at large-scale military training base
06How North Korea could leverage China’s DeepSeek AI model for military, cyber ops
07North Korea lets slip where special forces trained before Russia deployment
08Trump’s first-week overtures on North Korea are unlikely to entice Kim Jong Un

North Korea-Russia migration surge points to covert military and labor moves

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Anton Sokolin