North Korea’s 7th General Bureau of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) has officially begun recruiting active-duty soldiers to be deployed to Russian construction sites, according to reports on February 12.
Citing an inside source in North Korea, Daily NK reported that on February 4, the Central Committee issued an order to the 7th General Bureau to recruit soldiers for construction work under the Namgang Company, a subsidiary operating in Russia. The recruitment drive, led by the 7th General Bureau’s command, began on February 6 and is scheduled to continue for the next four months.
North Korea Secures Russian Approval for Military Labor Deployment
According to the source, Pyongyang had proposed to Moscow the idea of sending active-duty soldiers to Russian construction sites, citing a labor shortage due to the prolonged war in Ukraine. The Russian government reportedly approved the proposal earlier this month.
As a result, the 7th General Bureau plans to recruit approximately 1,000 soldiers in three separate groups of around 300 each, targeting those who have served in the military for at least three years. These soldiers will be dispatched to major construction sites in Vladivostok, St. Petersburg, and Novosibirsk.
The recruitment and training process is expected to be completed by June, after which the selected soldiers will be sent to Russia as construction laborers.
Military Construction Workers to Generate Foreign Currency for North Korea
Most of the recruited soldiers will be assigned to various industrial construction projects, with the primary goal of earning foreign currency for the North Korean government, the source explained.
Namgang Company, which operates under the 7th General Bureau, is a key organization overseeing the deployment of North Korean construction workers abroad and managing foreign currency earnings. It is expected to play a crucial role in controlling and supervising North Korean workers in Russia.
The arrangement benefits both countries: Russia receives much-needed construction labor, while North Korea secures a new source of hard currency amid ongoing international sanctions.
The source stated, “The Russian side has responded positively to the idea of deploying North Korean military laborers through Namgang Company. The 7th General Bureau is now focusing on selecting reliable personnel to manage and oversee the workers.”
North Korea’s ruling party anticipates that if the recruitment and deployment proceed as planned, foreign currency earnings will increase significantly in the latter half of this year. Pyongyang also hopes that the dispatch of military laborers will mark a new turning point in North Korea-Russia economic cooperation.
Mixed Reactions Among North Korean Soldiers
While many soldiers have expressed shock and frustration over the sudden recruitment, some see it as an opportunity to earn money and gain overseas experience.
“The sentiment among soldiers is that they have no choice but to follow orders, but some also see this as a rare chance to earn money abroad,” the source noted.
As the North Korea-Russia military partnership deepens, the dispatch of KPA soldiers for labor in Russia signals an expanding economic and strategic collaboration between the two nations.
BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
