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North Korea Labor Scheme Funds Weapons, Moscow Officials Confirm

By Drooid · Oct 29, 2026 · How we work

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Summary

Russia supplies forced labor to factories supporting its Ukraine war through a recruitment network.
Workers use visas to evade the 2017 UN ban on hiring North Korea labor.
Brokers such as Vladimir Sokolov’s Black Horse receive up to 150,000 rubles ($1,860) per worker.
North Korea earns $450-$800 million from the labor scheme, financing its weapons programs.
North Korea embassy officials in Moscow inspect sites, confirming Pyongyang’s direct role in the network.

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Russia supplies forced labor to factories supporting its Ukraine war through a recruitment network.
Workers use visas to evade the 2017 UN ban on hiring North Korea labor.
Brokers such as Vladimir Sokolov’s Black Horse receive up to 150,000 rubles ($1,860) per worker.
North Korea earns $450-$800 million from the labor scheme, financing its weapons programs.
North Korea embassy officials in Moscow inspect sites, confirming Pyongyang’s direct role in the network.