Summary

Russia is reportedly deploying up to 100,000 North Korean soldiers to support its war efforts, with salaries estimated at $2,000 per soldier per month.

However, experts believe most of the funds will go to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his regime, with little or none reaching the soldiers or their families.

The funds could bolster North Korea’s struggling economy, support military spending, and fund luxury goods to secure loyalty among elites.

Analysts warn the soldiers, including unprepared elite units, will likely face high casualties as “cannon fodder” in Ukraine.

  • Lucidlethargy@sh.itjust.works
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    1 day ago

    Giving your life for $2k/month… Jesus. That’s less than minimum wage where I live. And they don’t even get most of it, or perhaps any of it. That’s… Wow.

    • tibi@lemmy.world
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      20 hours ago

      That’s a decent salary for Eastern Europe. In Ukraine, the median salary is below $500/mo. Just look at the map, $2000/mo puts you above average for all the countries in Eastern and Central Europe.

    • foggy@lemmy.world
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      22 hours ago

      $12/hr for someone living in NK is a lot more money than $12/hr for someone in your neighborhood.

  • MushuChupacabra@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    Pleading, begging, and bargaining for North Korean soldiers is a sure sign that the Russians are doing very well with their special military operation.

  • Ton the Supermassive@lemm.ee
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    2 days ago

    Step 1: Ukraine captures as many Korean soldiers as possible Step 2: show them that they are being played by their own government Step 3: release them back Step 4 : ???

    Source: not a strategist

    • blackn1ght@feddit.uk
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      21 hours ago

      “Uncritical support for brave socialist comrades giving their lives in defeating Nazis and NATO” or something on those lines

  • SkaveRat@discuss.tchncs.de
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    2 days ago

    I mean, they are soldiers. They get their compensation by being a soldier (assuming that they get any pay at all. which is… debatable?).

    Why would anyone assume that the money goes to the soldiers?