North Korea is believed to have dispatched thousands of soldiers to Russia to support its invasion of Ukraine, with thousands more anticipated to join by the year’s end, according to South Korean intelligence and military officials. While the National Intelligence Service said in its latest analysis the costs of North Korea stepping into the war seem to outweigh the benefits, other experts in Seoul say Pyongyan...

Summary

North Korea is sending thousands of soldiers to support Russia in the Ukraine war, expecting compensation of $200 million annually. In return, Russia is providing North Korea with rice, advanced space technology, and potential military assistance in the event of a contingency on the Korean Peninsula.

Despite the the National Intelligence Service’s assessment that the costs outweigh the benefits, experts believe North Korea is securing a strategic advantage by aligning itself with Russia.

  • someguy3@lemmy.worldEnglish
    11·
    11 days ago

    Well at least it’s not nuke or nuke delivery stuff. That’s what I was worried about.

    They grow rice in Russia?

    The Krasnodar region accounts for around 73% of Russian rice output.

    That’s next to the black sea.

      • CmdrShepard42@lemm.eeEnglish
        3·
        10 days ago

        I doubt Russia would want that since NK is unstable and can easily point those weapons back at them at some point in the future.

        • dlatch@lemmy.worldEnglish
          12·
          10 days ago

          Russian decisions over the past few years haven’t exactly shown much long-term strategic choices or forethought, so I doubt this is an argument for them

      • someguy3@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        10 days ago

        Could be satellites for intelligence and all the tech that goes on it. Not the easiest stuff to develop or manufacture. If I’m Russia I would protect the family jewels (nuke and nuke delivery). If NK got rice out of the deal they’re probably not jumping straight to ICBM tech.

        • solrize@lemmy.worldEnglish
          3·
          11 days ago

          NK already has missile tech, just not clear whether it has real intercontinental range. The US and Russia did that in the 1950s though.

      • JohnDClay@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        1·
        11 days ago

        Their recent launches have been using field Russia more commonly uses, so they might be getting Russian engines.

    • ThePyroPython@lemmy.worldEnglish
      11·
      11 days ago

      I’ve got bad news for you bud about what was originally placed on those Russian rockets before Sputnik, Lyka, and Gagarin.

      • someguy3@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        11 days ago

        “Ask for” well no shit NK wants and will ask for it. Anyone can figure that out. Gonna need more than the literal “speculation” the article says. Like I answered to the other guy, space tech is pretty broad these days.