Pro-Russian Donetsk Republic "North Korean Workers Participating in Reconstruction Projects, Negotiating with North Korea"

Pro-Russian Donetsk People's Republic leader Denis Pushilin
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] On the 9th (local time), the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), established after separatists in Ukraine declared independence and are pro-Russian, announced that they are negotiating with North Korea about involving North Korean workers in reconstruction projects.

According to major foreign media, Denis Pushilin, head of the DPR, stated in a local broadcast interview, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is discussing involving North Korean construction workers in national reconstruction." He added, "North Korea has skilled and well-trained construction workers." He also explained that the first group of North Korean experts is expected to arrive in the DPR soon to assess the project estimates.

Furthermore, Pushilin said, "The two countries have exchanged memorandums, and diplomatic relations are being established within the framework of mutual recognition," adding, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is reviewing all matters for the selection of an embassy."

Earlier, Alexander Matsegora, the Russian ambassador to North Korea, claimed in a media interview last month that North Korean construction workers could participate in the reconstruction work of the DPR and the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR). In response, Ned Price, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, pointed out in a briefing, "This is a matter for the Ukrainian government to decide. It is an insult to Ukraine's sovereignty."

Eric Pement-Bock, coordinator of the expert panel of the UN Security Council's North Korea Sanctions Committee, also stated that this would violate UN sanctions against North Korea. The DPR and LPR are republics declared in 2014 by pro-Russian separatists in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. Russia recognized the independence of the DPR and LPR on February 21, three days before invading Ukraine, citing the protection of Russian-speaking residents in the Donbas region as justification.

Subsequently, following Syria, which is supported by Russia, at the end of June, North Korea recognized their independence on the 14th of last month.