North Korea has earned a record $22 billion since the start of the…
North Korea has earned a record $22 billion since the start of the war in Ukraine. The Kim regime has never had such wealth before.
Consensus
- North Korea earned $22 billion in foreign income from 2022 to 2025.
- This amount is nearly four times higher than the previous four-year period.
- The increase in income is linked to military cooperation with Russia, including arms sales and deployment of North Korean troops.
- North Korea's economy grew by 3.5% in 2025, marking the third consecutive year of growth.
- The funds have contributed to a construction boom and increased consumer imports in North Korea.
- North Korea has also engaged in cybercrime, particularly cryptocurrency theft, as a source of income.
Points of divergence
- The main source of income is the war in Ukraine, with approximately $14 billion attributed to arms sales to Russia, over 90% of which came from ammunition. — thebell
- Another significant source of income is cryptocurrency theft by North Korean hackers, with 70% of global crypto thefts attributed to North Korea. — kommersant
- Between 16,000 and 22,000 North Korean soldiers were sent to the front, with thousands killed. — thebell
- A North Korean missile unit arrived in Voronezh Oblast, Russia, in August 2026, potentially receiving up to 120 ballistic missiles. — thebell
- North Korea's income growth is attributed to both Russia and China as partners, with increased trade with China. — kommersant
Coverage (3 sources)
- «As if won the lottery». North Korea earned record $22 billion after the start of the war in Ukraine — The Moscow Times
- North Korea earned up to $22 billion during the war in Ukraine — The Bell
- Bloomberg: Since 2022, Kim Jong Un has accumulated $22 billion — Коммерсантъ
Key entities
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