North Korea weighs sending 25,000 workers to Russian drone factory

NHK reported the information, citing diplomatic sources in the West and in Russia.

Russia and North Korea continue to deepen their military cooperation: the Russians are increasing drone production amid the invasion of Ukraine, while North Korea seeks to strengthen its army.

Thus, North Korea is considering sending workers to a Russian UAV manufacturing plant so that they can be trained in drone operation in exchange.

NHK reports that the plant in question is located in the Alabuga special economic zone in the central Russian republic of Tatarstan. A total of 25,000 workers from North Korea are planned to be sent there.

• On May 10, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un stated that North Korea’s involvement in the war between Russia and Ukraine was justified, calling it the exercise of sovereign rights to defend a "brotherly nation."

• In June, during a meeting in Pyongyang with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, Kim Jong Un said that North Korea would continue to support Russia in the war against Ukraine.

• Later, they met again: the North Korean leader decided to send 1,000 sappers and 5,000 military builders for the "restoration" of the Kursk region.