Edith Hejberg
Thousands of North Korean citizens are being dispatched to Russia to work under conditions described as modern-day slavery.
According to South Korean intelligence, the move is filling gaps left by Russian men killed, deployed, or fleeing after the invasion of Ukraine. The workers, potentially over 50,000 in total, are mostly deployed to construction sites, garment factories, and IT centers, despite UN sanctions banning such labor.
Grueling 18-Hour Shifts and Two Days Off a Year
Interviewed escapees told the BBC they were forced to work from 6am until 2am, with just two days of rest annually. “Waking up was terrifying,” said one worker.
Many described numb, paralyzed hands from nonstop labor, and supervisors beating those who collapsed or tried to rest.
Constant Surveillance and Harsh Living Conditions
Upon arrival, workers are escorted by North Korean security agents, forbidden to talk to locals, and watched around the clock.
They sleep in overcrowded, insect-infested shipping containers or unfinished buildings, using tarps to block out the cold. Even serious injuries don’t guarantee medical treatment.
Dangerous Work Without Safety Measures
Scholars who have studied the situation report hazardous environments, dimly lit worksites, poor equipment, and constant risk of falls or accidents.
Some workers have suffered major injuries, like broken bones and facial fractures, yet were forced to continue working.
Russia’s Loopholes to UN Sanctions
Although the UN banned the use of North Korean labor in 2019, Russian government data shows over 13,000 arrivals in 2024, a twelvefold increase from the previous year.
Nearly 8,000 entered on student visas, which experts say is a tactic to bypass the sanctions.
“Cheap” Labor for the Kremlin
Experts say North Koreans are attractive to Russian employers because they work long hours for little pay and rarely protest.
While jobs abroad promise higher earnings, most wages go to the North Korean state as “loyalty taxes,” leaving workers with just $100–$200 a month, payable only after returning home.
Escaping the “Prison Without Bars”
Some workers have managed daring escapes using smuggled second-hand phones to contact help.
One man packed a garbage bag with belongings, left a blanket in his bed to fool guards, and traveled thousands of kilometers to reach a lawyer who helped him flee to Seoul.
Fewer Opportunities to Flee
North Korean authorities have tightened control, reducing even the rare monthly group outings to almost none.
As a result, escapes have halved since 2022, dropping from about 20 per year to just 10, according to South Korea’s government.
