Russia expects North Korean labourers to be involved in rebuilding two self-proclaimed republics in eastern Ukraine, with Pyongyang likely to be paid in much-needed industrial equipment and wheat from areas of Ukraine that are now under the control of the Russian military.
Alexander Matsegora, the
Russian ambassador to North Korea, made the claim in an interview with the Izvestia newspaper, the Moscow Times reported.
Assisting North Korea in obtaining equipment, technology or currency would be a breach of United Nations sanctions designed to stop Pyongyang developing more nuclear weapons or advanced missiles. As a member of the UN Security Council, Russia has in the past supported sanctions on North Korea but
is now seeking new allies as it faces its own trade and other embargoes.
"Highly qualified, hard-working and ready to work in the most difficult conditions, Korean builders will be an asset in the serious task of restoring social, infrastructural and industrial facilities destroyed by the retreating 'Ukronazis'", Mr Matsegora told the pro-Kremlin Izvestia, repeating the claim that the Ukrainian government is led by Nazis.
North Korea is the third nation to officially recognise Donetsk and Luhansk as independent republics, after Russia and Syria.
Denis Pushilin, the head of the Donetsk People's Republic, said the recognition of Pyongyang was "a triumph of diplomacy" and said he looked forward to "active and fruitful cooperation" with North Korea.