A sanctions monitoring body of the United Nations Security Council has released a report on North Korean workers overseas. An estimated 35,600–101,280 people are working abroad, generating an estimated $450 million–$800 million in income.
A multilateral sanctions monitoring team said North Korean workers have been sent to at least 17 countries, with the majority concentrated in China and Russia. The total number of workers overseas is estimated at 35,600–101,280.
Income generated in 2025 is estimated at $450 million–$800 million (approximately ¥70 billion–¥124 billion), with North Korean authorities believed to confiscate 80%–90% of their wages. This income is considered a source of funding for nuclear and missile development.
In China, many workers are engaged in manufacturing, construction, IT and food service, mainly in the northeastern provinces of Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang. Approximately 10,000 are believed to have entered the country between January 2025 and January 2026. In Russia, an estimated 15,000–30,000 workers have been sent there and are also believed to be involved in manufacturing military drones. Employment has also been confirmed in 15 other countries in Southeast Asia and Africa.