North Korea’s overseas labour program generated up to $800m in 2025

A multilateral monitoring team released a damning report revealing that North Korea’s overseas labour program funneled between $450 million and $800 million to the regime in 2025, largely through IT and manufacturing jobs abroad. The report highlights the exploitation of workers, the role of China…

By Felo News Desk · Published Thu, 17 Sep 2026 21:54:20 GMT

In a sweeping indictment, the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) disclosed that North Korea’s state‑run overseas labour program generated between $450 million and $800 million for the regime in 2025. The funds, the report says, were largely earned by North Korean workers in the information technology sector, and were funneled back to Pyongyang to finance its illicit nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

What the Report Reveals

The MSMT, a coalition of developed nations set up in 2024 to track North Korea’s sanctions‑evasion tactics, found that at least 17 countries still host an estimated 35,600 to 101,280 North Korean workers in violation of the United Nations Security Council resolution that requires the repatriation of North Korean workers to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). The report, shared with The Independent, indicates that the regime confiscated 80‑90 % of the wages earned by these workers, leaving many in debt or even indebted to the state.

Where the Workers Are Sent

China remains the largest destination, with estimates ranging from 20,000 to 70,000 North Korean labourers. Russia follows as the second largest host, with 15,000 to 30,000 workers. In both countries, workers are concentrated in IT, manufacturing, construction, and, in Africa, medical and construction roles. While China denies hosting illegal workers, human rights investigations confirm thousands are still employed in factories, plants, and fishing fleets.

In Russia, the regime has introduced a student‑visa scheme that masks North Korean labourers as foreign students. Workers in Russian cities have reported severe abuse, including limited access to basic hygiene facilities, harsh working conditions, and constant surveillance. The Hague‑based Global Rights Compliance (GRC) investigation found that some workers received only one shower a year and were treated worse than cattle.

Exploitation and Debt Bondage

North Korea’s policy of confiscating wages creates a system of debt bondage. Workers are forced to send remittances back home, often exceeding their actual earnings. The regime’s control over passports and documents further traps workers in a cycle of exploitation. The MSMT report notes that the confiscated funds are used to support the regime’s nuclear weapons and missile development, as well as other illicit imports.

International Response and Ongoing Violations

Despite the 2017 UN Security Council resolution that made it illegal for any member state to allow North Korean workers to earn income abroad, 38 countries have continued to host these workers past the 2019 repatriation deadline. The MSMT’s findings underscore the failure of the international community to enforce sanctions and the need for stronger monitoring mechanisms.

Member nations of the MSMT include Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The report calls for urgent action to address the expanding scale of state‑sponsored forced labour and the regime’s increasing need for foreign currency.

What Happens Next?

While the report has sparked international outrage, concrete steps to dismantle the labour network remain uncertain. The UN and its member states face the challenge of balancing diplomatic relations with enforcement of sanctions. The MSMT’s findings may prompt renewed scrutiny of labour practices in China and Russia, and could lead to stricter oversight or sanctions against countries that continue to host North Korean workers.

Meanwhile, human rights groups continue to document abuses and advocate for the rights of North Korean labourers. The regime’s continued reliance on forced labour highlights the broader issue of how isolated states use economic exploitation to fund prohibited programs.

As the world watches, the MSMT’s report serves as a stark reminder of the hidden costs of North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and the urgent need for global cooperation to protect vulnerable workers.

Key facts

North Korea’s overseas labour program raised $450‑$800 million in 2025
At least 17 countries still host tens of thousands of North Korean workers in violation of UN sanctions
China and Russia are the largest employers, with workers facing severe exploitation and debt bondage
The regime confiscates 80‑90 % of workers’ wages, funneling funds to nuclear and missile programs
The Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team calls for urgent action to enforce sanctions and protect workers

Why it matters

The report exposes how North Korea monetises forced labour to fund its prohibited weapons programs, revealing a critical loophole in international sanctions that threatens global security and human rights.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team?

The MSMT is a coalition of developed countries established in 2024 to monitor North Korea’s efforts to evade UN sanctions, particularly through overseas labour programs.

Why are North Korean workers still in China and Russia?

Despite UN resolutions, China and Russia continue to host North Korean workers, often under exploitative conditions, due to economic incentives and complex diplomatic relationships.

How does the regime use the workers’ wages?

North Korea confiscates 80‑90 % of the wages earned abroad, sending the funds back to the regime to finance nuclear weapons, missile programs, and other illicit imports.

What can the international community do?

Countries can enforce stricter sanctions, increase monitoring of labour practices, and support human rights investigations to protect workers and curb the regime’s funding sources.