Details of the agreement between North Korea and Russia revealed in South Korea.
According to South Korean intelligence, Ukraine offsets North Korea's financial and food issues through an agreement to provide military support.
"Financial and food crises in the country (North Korea - ed.) are largely resolved thanks to Russian compensation for its contribution to military actions (against Ukraine - ed.)," writes The Korea Herald, reports Ukrinform.
Wi Song Lac, former South Korean ambassador to Russia, reported that the agreement on the participation of North Korean troops in the war against Ukraine is beneficial for Pyongyang.
The South Korean intelligence service reported that each North Korean soldier sent to fight on the side of the Russian Federation will be paid a monthly salary of about $2000. It is assumed that at least 10,000 North Korean soldiers are sent to Ukraine, which means the total annual payment will be over $200 million.
Additionally, it's important to note that there are about 4,000 North Korean workers in Russia, whose average salary is approximately $800 per month.
Wi also reported that under the agreement, Russia will provide Pyongyang with food aid. According to him, North Korea produces less than 4 million tons of grain annually, including rice, barley, and wheat. But rice is believed to account for less than a third of the total volume, noted the congressman.
"The four million tons of grain that North Korea claims to produce yearly is actually one million tons less than 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 what North Korea needs to meet its annual demand," stated Wi Song Lac.
He added that now, with Russia purchasing artillery shells from North Korea, the food deficit is likely offset by arms trade. "By selling a few containers of artillery shells, Pyongyang can afford much more than hundreds of thousands of tons of rice," said the congressman.
The intelligence also informed parliament that Moscow is assisting North Korea with advanced space technology, as Pyongyang intends to launch a new military reconnaissance satellite.
Moreover, the agreement provides an opportunity for North Korea to fight alongside Russia on the Korean peninsula in case of unforeseen circumstances, added Wi Song Lac.
"If war ever breaks out on the Korean peninsula, North Korea can count on Russian support," he noted.
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