North Korea has obtained 13 billion dollars from military assistance provided to Russia in the war in Ukraine, estimates South Korean intelligence services.

According to estimates from South Korean intelligence services, North Korea has earned 13 billion dollars in the last three years from providing military support to Russia in the context of the war in Ukraine.

This amount represents a significant gain for Pyongyang, considering that the country's gross domestic product is estimated between 17.2 billion and 25.3 billion dollars. In exchange for assistance, North Korea has received currency, energy resources, and military technologies, thus helping the regime to avoid international sanctions.

Relations between Russia and North Korea have strengthened, culminating in the signing of a mutual defense treaty in 2024.

Estimates for 2025 indicate deliveries of North Korean artillery to Russia, valued between 7 and 13.8 billion dollars. Additionally, Russia has paid over 600 million dollars for the deployment of North Korean troops in Ukraine, following Ukrainian attacks.

Approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers are believed to be active in the conflict zone, with significant losses reported.