**North Korean Workers Sent to Russia in Slave-like Conditions**
The BBC has uncovered a shocking reality of thousands of North Koreans being sent to work in slave-like conditions in Russia. The laborers, mostly men, are being exploited to fill the severe labor shortage caused by Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
According to sources, including government officials and researchers, Moscow is increasingly relying on North Korean laborers to help with the war effort. With many Russian men either killed or tied up fighting, Pyongyang has been dispatching tens of thousands of workers to Russia since last year.
**Abysmal Working Conditions**
The workers are subjected to 18-hour workdays, building high-rise apartments and working in hazardous conditions. They sleep in dirty, overcrowded shipping containers or on the floor of unfinished apartment blocks, with little safety equipment or medical care. Many have reported falling asleep standing up or leaving their posts to rest, only to be beaten by supervisors.
One worker, Jin, was forced to work from dawn till dusk without a break, and was told he might not receive any money when he returned to North Korea because the state needed it instead. Another worker, Tae, made the decision to defect after watching YouTube videos showing how much workers in South Korea were paid.
**Controlled Freedom**
In an attempt to prevent escapes, the North Korean authorities are cracking down on workers’ already limited freedom. Workers are now subject to more frequent ideological training and self-criticism sessions, where they are forced to declare their loyalty to Kim Jong Un and log their failings. Rare opportunities to leave construction sites have also been cut, with workers now traveling in groups of five and being monitored intensely.
**Fewer Escapes**
As a result, fewer workers are managing to escape. The number of North Koreans making it out of Russia each year and arriving in Seoul has halved since 2022 – from around 20 a year to just 10. Activists who help rescue North Korean workers say the crackdowns are likely in preparation for many more workers arriving.
**A Lasting Legacy**
Experts believe that these overseas construction jobs will be a lasting legacy of Kim and Putin’s wartime friendship, with workers continuing to arrive long after the war has ended. The deployment of soldiers and weapons may cease, but the exploitation of North Korean laborers will persist.
The BBC investigation sheds light on the harsh realities faced by North Korean workers in Russia, highlighting the need for greater protection and advocacy for these vulnerable individuals.
