On the backs of citizens and the blood of soldiers: the chilling economic miracle of Kim Jong-un

A New York Times investigation reveals the human cost behind North Korea's economic growth: systematic exploitation of citizens, forced laborers in dangerous mines, prisoners producing wigs in labor camps, soldiers sent as cannon fodder to the Ukrainian front, and hackers stealing crypto. Russia and China enable the trend.

A New York Times investigation reveals the dark side of economic growth in North Korea under Kim Jong-un. While the regime rakes in billions from ties with Russia, the human cost is heavy: North Korean soldiers are sent as cannon fodder to the front in Ukraine, with South Korean intelligence estimating that about 2,000 of the 16,000 sent have been killed. Meanwhile, forced laborers are sent to Russia under student visas, miners die from lung diseases in dangerous mines, and prisoners in labor camps produce wigs under harsh conditions. Former female prisoners testified that one in ten prisoners dies each year in the camp. North Korean diplomats smuggle X-ray machines and hackers steal crypto. Russia and China enable the systematic exploitation.