More than 300 North Korean workers reportedly arrived in the Vladivostok region of Russia on Feb. 5, traveling by rail. Concurrently, group tours from Russia to North Korea have resumed, and a delegation from the Workers’ Party of Korea has visited Russia at the invitation of Russia’s ruling United Russia party. Since last September’s Russia-North Korea summit, the two nations have rapidly strengthened ties in various areas, such as military cooperation, arms deals, and economic, cultural, and political relations.
Cho Han-bum, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, told the Chosunilbo on Feb. 13, “According to local sources, over 300 North Korean workers arrived at Vladivostok via Russia’s Khasan Station, disembarking at the train station with substantial luggage. It is widely rumored that more North Korean workers will be dispatched to Russia in the future.”
Employing North Korean workers contravenes United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions against North Korea, yet Russia appears to be openly disregarding these sanctions. In December 2017, the UNSC passed Resolution 2397, mandating the repatriation of all overseas North Korean workers within 24 months. Despite this, Russia has been reportedly granting entry visas to North Korean workers under the guise of study, training, tourism, and cultural exchanges.
The transportation of North Korean workers by rail, as opposed to air, is an unusual practice. The border railway, inaugurated by Russia and North Korea in 2013, stretches from Khasan in Russia’s Primorsky Krai to Dumangang River Station in North Korea and primarily serves as a freight line. In January, Oleg Kozhemyako, the Governor of Primorsky Krai, mentioned that they are working on establishing a passenger rail line connecting Khasan Station in Russia to the North Korea’s Rajin Port. within the year. This led some analysts to speculate that the rail journey of the North Korean workers might have been a ‘test run.’
Cho said, “These 300 workers are purportedly the ‘first team,’ suggesting that a substantial number of new workers might utilize the railway in the future.”
South Korean authorities are closely monitoring this development. An official stated, “Last year, there were discussions about selecting workers from within North Korea for dispatch to Russia, and there have been multiple reports of such dispatches since then, although no definitive confirmation has been obtained.”
Additionally, group tours from Russia to North Korea have recommenced following their suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On Feb. 9, about 100 Russian tourists flew to North Korea on an Air Koryo flight, visiting significant sites such as Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang and the Masikryong Ski Resort in Wonsan before returning to Russia on Feb. 12. This visit follows the summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un last September. It coincides with Russia’s formalizing plans to develop ‘sea and rail’ connections with North Korea.
In a recent interview, Russian Ambassador to North Korea, Alexandre Machegora, said, “We previously operated a ferry service between the Rajin Port. and the Port of Vladivostok.” He expressed hope that this popular route would be restored shortly.
