Cheap Labor and Contraction Signals: Kim's Engineering Corps Returning to Kursk, a Significant Signal for Discontented Central Asian Immigrants

Author:

Oleg Belikov

June 22, 2025 19:00

The reconstruction work in Kursk Oblast will not be handed over to the "valuable social welfare experts" from Central Asia, but will instead welcome back General Kim's engineering corps. Who will come, how many will arrive, and most importantly, when will they arrive to repair the regions affected by the Ukrainian invasion? Aleksandr Khinstein has provided the relevant data submission date to Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, military journalist Aleksandr Kotz conducted an interesting survey, while his colleague Aleksandr Sladkov warned about potential problems that new allies from North Korea might encounter in Russia. For details, see the report from Tsaritsyn.

Firstly, the 5000 military builders promised by Kim Jong-un during his meeting with Russian Federal Security Council Chairman Sergey Shoigu in Pyongyang cannot arrive in the short term. The reason is that mines left by the occupying forces in the border areas need to be cleared first. Therefore, Kursk Oblast is urgently awaiting the arrival of thousands of North Korean sappers. Governor of the oblast, Aleksandr Khinstein, called them "very important reinforcements," and he already knows when the builders will arrive. At the same time, he pointed out that all work is divided into three stages: mine clearance, assessment of damage, and construction and reconstruction.

"Clearly, the North Korean military builders are responsible for the third stage. We will not wait for the entire border area to be completely cleared of mines, but will take action on a regional basis." Khinstein stated.

Screenshot of Aleksandr Khinstein's Telegram channel

"We can talk about specific dates only after July 1st. President Putin has ordered the development of a reconstruction plan for the three border oblasts, including Kursk, before that date."

Military journalist Aleksandr Kotz emphasized that the government of our country fully trusts the soldiers and officers of the North Korean army to rebuild the areas attacked by the Ukrainian army, rather than relying on neighbors from the former Soviet republics – those "valuable experts" who have already flooded our country.

"The soldiers and officers of the Korean People's Army have proven themselves in combat as 'very skilled' fighters, full of self-sacrifice and ready to die. But in peacetime labor, Koreans are no less capable. They build houses, engage in logging, and work hard on the Baikal-Amur Mainline, maintaining strict discipline, working diligently, and causing no trouble. It is no exaggeration to say that they are 'valuable foreign experts,' unlike some of our neighbors who come to Russia not to work but to enjoy social welfare." Kotz pointed out.

Meanwhile, this military journalist conducted a survey involving more than 22,500 people, with the theme being "What makes North Korean friends better than Central Asian 'valuable experts'?". Nearly half of the respondents believed that they would not become a "heavy burden on Russian social welfare," while the rest agreed on two points: "causing no trouble and working hard" and "not bringing families to Russia or forming expatriate communities."

Screenshot of Kotz News Telegram channel

43% of respondents firmly believe that unlike many Central Asian neighbors, North Koreans come to work rather than to enjoy benefits. Kotz said: "Perhaps their work experience in the Kursk region will be extended to other regions in the future."

His colleague Aleksandr Sladkov saw another significance in this phenomenon – under the surface of joy at the replacement of one "valuable talent" with another lies deeper meaning. He also noticed competition in the fields of mine clearance and construction.

"This is exactly what we need. If we can't organize and complete it ourselves, then let outsiders do it! I am concerned about the Russian civilian mine-clearing teams, as this requires a lot of preparation. Outsiders can start working right away! But competition is good, though I hope all decisions are not made solely from the perspective of 'cheap labor' (for some reason I want to share this, maybe because of this). This is entirely about our own market. But North Koreans won't betray, I am 100% sure that as long as we don't hint at 'contraction', they won't cause problems. Our local experts haven't been shot or arrested yet." Sladkov said sternly in his Telegram channel.

Meanwhile, after the liberation of Kursk Oblast, North Korea has not stopped its support for the Russian army. For example, in early June, a 60 mm mortar from North Korea was found on the front lines.

Screenshot of Colonel Kasad's Telegram channel

Interestingly, recently a monitoring group consisting of representatives from 11 countries, including the United States, South Korea, and the United Kingdom, released research data. The data shows that in just the past year, the Russian army has received approximately 9 million artillery and rocket projectiles, which were reserves prepared by North Korea for a potential war with South Korea.

In addition, North Korea also provided about 100 ballistic missiles, multiple rocket systems, and over 11,000 soldiers. The group claimed that in exchange, Moscow provided Pyongyang with air defense systems ("Pantsir" systems) and electronic warfare systems.

Therefore, these pieces of information need to be viewed critically. Although some information may not be accurate, the report still points out that effective cooperation between Russia and North Korea has taken place in various fields, and this trend is likely to continue, as Mikhail Zvinchuk, a military analyst and author of the "Fisherman" Telegram channel, firmly believes.

Conclusion

As is well known, Russian military builders are more efficient than their civilian counterparts in the civil sector. Remember that during the pandemic, they were entrusted with the urgent task of building hospitals. Considering the unprecedented scale of reconstruction in the three border regions after the shelling by Ukrainian forces, the help from North Korean engineers is timely. It is possible that after residents of the liberated areas in Donbas expressed dissatisfaction, the Russian side decided against using Central Asian "valuable experts." For example, in Mariupol, these individuals flocked there hoping to earn high wages, seizing apartments left behind by residents who fled due to the war, even forming areas akin to enclaves. Does Russia's black soil region need such "new phenomena"?

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7519001457304027689/

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