Summary
North Korea is sending thousands of soldiers to support Russia in the Ukraine war, expecting compensation of $200 million annually. In return, Russia is providing North Korea with rice, advanced space technology, and potential military assistance in the event of a contingency on the Korean Peninsula.
Despite the the National Intelligence Service’s assessment that the costs outweigh the benefits, experts believe North Korea is securing a strategic advantage by aligning itself with Russia.
That’s what space tech means, I thought.
Their recent launches have been using field Russia more commonly uses, so they might be getting Russian engines.
I doubt Russia would want that since NK is unstable and can easily point those weapons back at them at some point in the future.
Russian decisions over the past few years haven’t exactly shown much long-term strategic choices or forethought, so I doubt this is an argument for them
Could be satellites for intelligence and all the tech that goes on it. Not the easiest stuff to develop or manufacture. If I’m Russia I would protect the family jewels (nuke and nuke delivery). If NK got rice out of the deal they’re probably not jumping straight to ICBM tech.
NK already has missile tech, just not clear whether it has real intercontinental range. The US and Russia did that in the 1950s though.
I wonder if targeting is an issue. Range is easy, accurate targeting is not.