North Korea to Aid Russia in Rebuilding Kursk Post-Ukraine Conflict

• Shoigu mentions he has been given unspecified tasks from Putin.
• Discussions include US-Russia relations, Ukraine, and additional security issues.
• Moscow and Pyongyang strengthen their ties against what they perceive as a hostile West.

A senior Russian security official announced on Tuesday that North Korea is set to deploy thousands of military construction workers and engineers to the Kursk region of Russia. This assistance comes as part of rebuilding efforts after a Ukrainian incursion, which North Korean troops helped Moscow repel earlier this year.

Sergei Shoigu, secretary of the Russian Security Council and a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, made these remarks following discussions with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang. This meeting marked their second engagement in just two weeks.

Shoigu indicated he was acting on “special instructions” from Putin during his visit, which coincides with the accelerating ties between Moscow and Pyongyang. This relationship has developed against the backdrop of what both nations deem hostile actions from the West. Shoigu also mentioned the resumption of the first direct train service from Moscow to Pyongyang since 2020.

He expressed hope for the revival of direct flights between the two capitals, a service that has not operated in over 30 years.

The West is likely to closely monitor Shoigu’s visit, particularly given allegations from the United States, South Korea, and Ukraine that North Korea has been supplying Russia with significant military support in its ongoing conflict against Ukraine. Both Moscow and Pyongyang have publicly denied these claims.

Shoigu noted that their discussions lasted over two hours and announced that North Korea is poised to begin rebuilding efforts in Kursk soon. He explained that after the expulsion of Ukrainian forces—thanks in part to assistance from North Korean troops—in August 2024, reconstruction efforts are crucial.

“Chairman Kim Jong-un has decided to send 1,000 engineers to Russia for demining activities, along with 5,000 military construction workers to restore infrastructure damaged by enemy actions,” Shoigu was quoted by the Russian state news agency TASS.

He added that these initiatives would commence shortly, noting that certain areas will require demining before construction can begin.

‘Message from Putin’

Shoigu, who had visited Pyongyang previously on March 21 and June 4, disclosed that he conveyed an unspecified message from Putin to Kim.

The two leaders discussed US-Russian relations, the situation in Ukraine, the Korean Peninsula, and other security matters that Shoigu did not elaborate on.

Upon Shoigu’s arrival, he was greeted by an honor guard and Marshall Pak Jong-chon, the second-in-command of North Korea’s military.

A video shared by Russia’s state media, Rossiiskaya Gazeta, captured Kim—in a traditional Mao suit—embracing Shoigu before they proceeded to a negotiation hall furnished with a lengthy table.

“It’s been two weeks since we last met,” Kim remarked, chuckling.

“The president’s instructions must be carried out,” replied Shoigu, agreeing with Kim when he noted that the frequency of Shoigu’s visits illustrated the strengthening bond between Moscow and Pyongyang.

Recently, Kim referred to Putin as his “dearest comrade,” highlighting their strong bilateral relationship as one characterized by genuine camaraderie.

Shoigu mentioned that his current visit was tied to a strategic partnership treaty signed between Kim and Putin in June 2024, which included mutual defense commitments. Moscow referred to this agreement when discussing the deployment of North Korean soldiers to Kursk.

Shoigu also shared that he and Kim deliberated on plans for a memorial complex in Pyongyang dedicated to North Korean troops.

According to British military intelligence, North Korean forces have experienced more than 6,000 casualties during their involvement in Kursk, although the North has not publicly disclosed this information.

Both the US and South Korea assert that North Korea has supplied ballistic missiles, anti-tank rockets, and millions of rounds of ammunition to Russia for its ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Moscow and Pyongyang have denied these allegations.

An investigation by Reuters in April 2025 revealed that millions of shells from North Korea had reached the front lines in significant shipments by sea followed by train transfers.