**North Korean Soldiers Deployed to Support Russia's War Efforts**

Russia is reportedly infusing substantial funds into the deployment of up to 100,000 North Korean soldiers to bolster its war efforts. However, experts on North Korea suggest that the soldiers themselves are unlikely to benefit financially from this support. Instead, much of the money could end up in the hands of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his close associates.

Ukrainian officials have disclosed that approximately 11,000 North Korean troops have already been stationed to assist in repelling Ukrainian forces in Kursk. Ukraine's ambassador to South Korea, Dmytro Ponomarenko, shared with Voice of America that this number could escalate to 15,000, with soldiers being rotated out every two to three months. This could result in around 100,000 North Korean soldiers serving in Russia over a year.

South Korean intelligence estimates indicate that Russia is compensating each soldier with about $2,000 per month, which translates to approximately $22 million for 11,000 troops. This amount would be life-changing for most North Koreans, considering defectors have reported that the average salary for workers and soldiers in North Korea is less than $1 a month.

Nevertheless, it is highly uncertain whether these soldiers will see any of this money. Bruce W. Bennett, a defense researcher and North Korea specialist at RAND, noted that the funds from Russia are likely being funneled directly to the ruling party and subsequently to the Kim family. This practice aligns with North Korea's documented history of keeping the earnings its citizens make abroad.

Hyunseung Lee, a former North Korean soldier who defected in the early 2000s, provided a grim outlook regarding the rewards for those fighting in Ukraine. He remarked in an interview with Radio Free Europe that the soldiers, as well as their families, are unlikely to receive any compensation. Additionally, many soldiers may not survive to claim their earnings, and Kim might redirect some of their earnings to their families as compensation for the loss of their sons.

This influx of cash could nonetheless play a crucial role in North Korea, where the GDP is estimated to be just $40 billion. Kim Jong Un is reportedly using significant funds to import luxury goods, which he distributes to the nation's elites to secure their loyalty. Despite this, loyalty has waned in recent years due to international sanctions and economic decline resulting from Kim's policy of investing up to 30% of the GDP into defense.

The money from Russia may partly go towards military equipment and partly towards consumer goods such as food, especially for the elites. This is significant as North Korea faces severe public instability due to widespread deprivation. Improving the availability of food and other essentials is critical for Kim to prevent more open rebellion.

Meanwhile, the future looks bleak for North Korean soldiers sent to Russia, with Ukraine's allies warning that they could become mere "cannon fodder" on the battlefield. Reports indicate that North Korea is deploying its elite "Storm Corps" special-forces unit to Russia. However, Hyunseung Lee has expressed concerns that these troops are underprepared, suggesting that their brief training, some of which involves live combat, is insufficient for mastering the advanced equipment they will be required to use in the field.