North Korea earned tens of billions of dollars from Russia's war against Ukraine
Although Western sanctions were supposed to cripple Kim Jong Un's regime, billions are now flowing into Pyongyang.
From 2022 to 2025, North Korea received foreign exchange earnings of up to $22 billion — approximately four times more than in the previous four years.
Such data is provided in an analytical report by Bloomberg Economics. In his 15 years in power, Kim has never had such significant funds. The main source of income is the sale of ammunition to Russia, which needs them to continue the war against Ukraine, writes Bild.
Vladimir Putin's war alone brought more than $14 billion into Kim's treasury. The remaining $8 billion came from other sources, including trade with China, work of North Korean citizens abroad, IT services, cybercrime, as well as legal and illegal exports.
Ammunition provided the largest share of revenue. According to available data, $9.12 billion came from artillery shells, $2.38 billion was received for heavy artillery, $1.27 billion for ballistic missiles, and $849 million for sending North Korean soldiers to Russia. According to estimates by Ukrainian intelligence services, by the end of 2025, North Korea provided up to 50% of Russia's needs for the most demanded artillery ammunition of 122 mm and 152 mm calibers.
Kim uses the received billions to develop his nuclear and missile programs. In the past two years, North Korea has unveiled its largest warships and modernized ballistic missiles.
Andrei Lankov, a renowned expert on the DPRK, also notes in his interviews and lectures that, thanks to the war, the welfare of DPRK citizens has significantly increased recently. For example, there are more cars on the streets, although they are only available to the very rich.
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Comments
Вместе с тем, он отправил свою солдатню на совершенно чужую для Кореи войну, получив поток гробов в свои дальневосточные угодья.
Сделав далёкую для корейцев севера Украину настоящим врагом.
Выиграл на короткой дистанции, но проиграл в долгосрочной перспективе. Такое, 50/50.