North Korean women flocking to Russia: 'We'll go abroad and see the world'

A growing number of North Korean women are heading to Russia, driven by the allure of an upfront payment of $300, a sum equivalent to a year's supply of basic grains for a family of four in North Korea. This influx comes as food prices in North Korea have more than doubled in recent months, leading to widespread hunger and desperation. For many women, working in Russia represents a vital opportunity to support their families.

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If you go to Russia, we will give you $300 upfront.

These women are being recruited by numerous trading companies for positions in factories, farms, and logistics centers throughout Russia. Reports indicate that hundreds of North Korean women have been seen working in warehouses for Russia's largest e-commerce company, Wildberries, and in other sectors like garment factories and pig farms. Some companies have advertised their ability to supply thousands of North Korean female workers weekly, suggesting a potential for over 100,000 to be dispatched annually.

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These days, wherever you go, you see women getting physical examinations to be dispatched as Russian workers.

This wave of North Korean labor migration to Russia, particularly involving women, is seen as a strategic move by Pyongyang. While the deployment of North Korean workers abroad violates UN Security Council Resolution 2397, Russia, as a permanent member of the Security Council, appears unconcerned. Russia faces a critical labor shortage following the war in Ukraine, and North Korean workers are seen as a compliant and cost-effective solution. They are known for their discipline, willingness to work long hours, and lower wage demands.

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In the past, China was almost the only country North Korean women could go to abroad, but now Russia is taking its place.

Furthermore, North Korea seems to prefer sending women abroad over men. Historically, male laborers sent to Russia were more prone to absconding to seek better opportunities, making them difficult to control. In contrast, female workers, whether in China or Russia, have shown a much lower tendency to defect. This easier manageability, possibly linked to stronger family ties or a greater reluctance to face severe penalties, makes them a more reliable labor export for the North Korean regime. The current trend suggests that tens of thousands, potentially exceeding 100,000, North Koreans could be sent to Russia this year alone.

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The men were difficult to control because they were eager to earn money scattered throughout Russia, risking punishment for leaving their workplaces.