North Korea Profiting from 'Russia Troop Dispatch Special'... "Kim Jong-un Focused on Legacy Projects, Livelihoods Poor"

by Son Seonhee

Published 27 Mar.2025 14:13(KST)

North Korea is understood to be promoting all-round exchanges, including economic and medical cooperation, following military cooperation with Russia. While the living conditions of North Korean residents remain difficult, it is analyzed that the economic benefits of dispatching troops to Russia are mainly being used to showcase the achievements of Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea.

Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On the 27th, the Ministry of Unification distributed a report titled 'Recent North Korea Trends' containing this information. According to the report, North Korea's foreign policy has mainly focused on Russia, resulting in a significant increase in the number of exchanges between North Korea and Russia. From July 2023 to March this year, exchanges between North Korea and China totaled 11, whereas exchanges between North Korea and Russia reached 63. However, North Korea has also shown movements to improve relations with China, such as promoting the resumption of group tours by Chinese organizations to charitable areas and restarting construction on the northern section of the New Amnok River Bridge this year.

As ties with Russia have strengthened, the form of address for Russian President Vladimir Putin in letters from Chairman Kim has also changed. The usual honorific "Your Excellency" was replaced with "Comrade" on August 15, 2023, and on December 30, 2024, the phrase "warm comradely trust" was also confirmed. A Ministry of Unification official explained that the use of the term "Comrade" for President Putin around August 2023 appears to coincide with the start of discussions on North Korea-Russia military cooperation. Chairman Kim and President Putin held a summit meeting in September 2023.

North Korea seems to be cooperating with Russia not only in the military sector but also in healthcare. The Pyongyang General Hospital, which had been in a prolonged state of suspension, was completed on the 27th of last month, five years after construction began. The goal is to open it on October 10 this year. The hospital's scale is understood to be comparable to major domestic general hospitals such as Severance and Samsung Hospital. A Ministry of Unification official stated, "Local industrial factories, the Onpo workers' rest facility, and Pyongyang General Hospital all progressed rapidly after 2024," adding, "This is judged to be influenced by the 'Russia special' factor."

According to private analysis organizations, the scale of military supplies North Korea has provided to Russia is estimated to be up to 3 billion dollars. Considering North Korea's annual budget is about 10 billion dollars, this is not insignificant. Russia is reported to be providing multifaceted support, including fuel, food, and equipment, in return for North Korea's military supplies. This economic support from Russia is expected to become a driving force for advancing Chairman Kim's achievement projects.

North Korea's economic situation worsened during the COVID-19 period, experiencing severe food shortages. Although there are signs of some recovery now, authorities explain that it still does not reach the level before international sanctions against North Korea.

A Ministry of Unification official said, "The economic effects of Russia's military support and troop dispatch have partially improved the North Korean authorities' policy execution capabilities," but added, "This is focused on Kim Jong-un's achievement projects rather than the economy and people's livelihoods, so the harsh living conditions of residents continue." The official further stated, "In the first half of the year, priority will be given to close North Korea-Russia ties and improving North Korea-China relations, while maintaining a hostile watchful mode toward South Korea and the United States."