Why would North Korea send military officers to Ukraine to support Russia?

According to the Washington Post, North Korea has committed "full" support to Russia in its war in Ukraine, with leader Kim Jong Un pledging backing for President Vladimir Putin's "sacred war for regional peace and international justice." Since the war began, North Korea has been one of the few countries standing with Moscow, even voting against a UN resolution condemning Russia’s aggression in March 2022. Pyongyang has supplied Russia with Soviet-era munitions, including artillery shells, which U.S. and South Korean officials say are crucial for Russia as it struggles to sustain its military efforts in Ukraine. In return, North Korea may be receiving assistance from Russia to advance its weapons program.
 

There are also reports suggesting that North Korea has sent military personnel to support Russia in occupied areas of Ukraine, particularly in Donbas. While Ukrainian military intelligence noted that North Korean combat troops had been observed in Russia, none were confirmed in Donbas, and some of these troops were reportedly killed or injured without direct combat involvement. According to South Korean experts, it is feasible that North Korean military officers, particularly technical advisers, have been dispatched to oversee the use of North Korean weaponry and assist with its maintenance. This cooperation highlights the deepening military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, further cemented by a mutual defense pact signed earlier in 2024.

Beyond military assistance, North Korea has also sent laborers to aid in reconstruction efforts in Ukraine's Donbas region. According to reports, around 150 North Korean workers were dispatched for this purpose, and Russian officials have openly welcomed these contributions. The North Korean labor force, historically involved in construction and other industries within Russia, provides a much-needed source of foreign currency for the isolated regime, which has been struggling economically since the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite international sanctions banning North Korean labor exports, Pyongyang continues to send workers abroad, with many operating in harsh conditions and having their rights severely restricted.