Summary
Russia is reportedly deploying up to 100,000 North Korean soldiers to support its war efforts, with salaries estimated at $2,000 per soldier per month.
However, experts believe most of the funds will go to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his regime, with little or none reaching the soldiers or their families.
The funds could bolster North Korea’s struggling economy, support military spending, and fund luxury goods to secure loyalty among elites.
Analysts warn the soldiers, including unprepared elite units, will likely face high casualties as “cannon fodder” in Ukraine.
Giving your life for $2k/month… Jesus. That’s less than minimum wage where I live. And they don’t even get most of it, or perhaps any of it. That’s… Wow.
That’s a decent salary for Eastern Europe. In Ukraine, the median salary is below $500/mo. Just look at the map, $2000/mo puts you above average for all the countries in Eastern and Central Europe.
$12/hr for someone living in NK is a lot more money than $12/hr for someone in your neighborhood.