An investigation by the BBC has uncovered that over 50,000 North Koreans are expected to be sent to Russia to address labor shortages worsened by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Interviews with escapees reveal harrowing accounts of their experiences in Russia, where they face severe exploitation and inhumane working conditions. North Korean laborers have been reportedly channeled into construction sites, working grueling hours with little regard for their safety or well-being.
North Korean Workers Forced into Slave-Like Conditions in Russia Amid Labor Shortage
North Korean Workers Forced into Slave-Like Conditions in Russia Amid Labor Shortage
An alarming report reveals that thousands of North Koreans are being sent to work in Russia under dire circumstances as the Kremlin grapples with labor shortages due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
One defector, known as Jin, recounted how upon arriving in Russia he was immediately surveilled by North Korean agents, joining a workforce that faces oppressive working hours of up to 18 hours a day, with only two days off in an entire year. His description of life on the construction sites was echoed by others, including Tae, who talked about physical exhaustion leading to extreme conditions on-site where managers would respond violently to any sign of fatigue among workers.
Experts have noted the stark realities these laborers face, confined to dangerously unsafe environments, working in darkness with minimal safety gear, and sleeping in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions. Many North Korean laborers are reportedly sent with a promise of better pay to help their families upon their return, but most of their earnings are instead siphoned off to support the North Korean regime.
Despite the harshities, some workers have attempted to escape, motivated by glimpses of better life opportunities outside. A surge in North Korean laborers entering Russia was noted in recent months, despite international sanctions against their employment. The conditions surrounding their labor and the state’s tight control highlight a troubling aspect of North Korea's alliance with Russia during wartime, underscoring future implications for human rights and labor exploitation in the region.
As reports indicate a decrease in successful escapes as North Korean authorities tighten controls, the legacy of this labor force remains uncertain amid the ongoing geopolitical crisis.
Experts have noted the stark realities these laborers face, confined to dangerously unsafe environments, working in darkness with minimal safety gear, and sleeping in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions. Many North Korean laborers are reportedly sent with a promise of better pay to help their families upon their return, but most of their earnings are instead siphoned off to support the North Korean regime.
Despite the harshities, some workers have attempted to escape, motivated by glimpses of better life opportunities outside. A surge in North Korean laborers entering Russia was noted in recent months, despite international sanctions against their employment. The conditions surrounding their labor and the state’s tight control highlight a troubling aspect of North Korea's alliance with Russia during wartime, underscoring future implications for human rights and labor exploitation in the region.
As reports indicate a decrease in successful escapes as North Korean authorities tighten controls, the legacy of this labor force remains uncertain amid the ongoing geopolitical crisis.
