Kim Jong Un Reaps $22 Billion Windfall from Russian Alliance

North Korea amassed up to $22 billion in foreign revenue between 2022 and 2025, primarily by supplying arms and troops to Russia. North Korea provided up to 50% of Russia’s 122mm and 152mm artillery shell requirements and earned roughly $2,000 per month for each of the 16,000 to 22,000 soldiers it deployed to support Moscow. The financial windfall has fueled a rapid expansion of Pyongyang’s nuclear and naval capabilities.