North Korea May Earn Up to $14.4 Billion from Russia Troop Deployment and Arms Exports

The National Security Strategy Research Institute (NKISS) stated in a strategic report published in March 2026 that North Korea earned between a minimum of $7.67 billion and a maximum of $14.4 billion in foreign currency by the end of 2025 through troop deployment and munitions exports to Russia. Munitions exports accounted for approximately 94% of total earnings, with various artillery shells making up the largest portion at 75.1%, and exports of short-range ballistic missiles (KN-23) were also estimated to be substantial.

North Korea dispatched approximately 21,000 personnel, including combat troops, artillery units, and combat engineers, to Russia in four deployments from October 2024 to December 2025, with an estimated 6,000 casualties incurred during this process. Direct revenue generated through troop deployment was estimated at $620 million, but it is suggested that 80-96% of this revenue may have been recovered through sensitive military technologies or components difficult to monitor via satellite.

The report points out that such substantial foreign currency inflows could neutralize the core economic effects of international sanctions against North Korea. In response, the U.S. State Department has called for North Korea to cease its support for Russia.

This article was generated by AI and reviewed by a human.