Demand for Korean Translators Soars as North Korean Workers Flood into Russian Job Market

Russian firms are actively recruiting translators proficient in Korean and cultural specialists as a significant number of North Korean laborers arrive in Russia to take on roles in construction and infrastructure, according to the Daily Storm news outlet.

Since the invasion of Ukraine, North Korea has become a crucial ally for Russia, contributing thousands of troops and workers to the workforce. This surge in labor has led to a higher demand for translators to assist with the large number of North Koreans now employed in Russia.

In recent weeks, job advertisements for Korean interpreters—some offering salaries up to $4,000 a month—have surfaced on prominent Russian job platforms and specialized Telegram channels, as reported by the Daily Storm.

One recent job listing from Strana Development, a construction company located in Moscow, sought an interpreter fluent in Korean, with an understanding of North Korean culture and etiquette, to work at a construction site in the capital.

Similar job openings have also been posted in Telegram groups focused on translation services.

A journalist from the Daily Storm contacted the phone number listed in a job post looking for a Korean language expert to work with construction crews in St. Petersburg and the surrounding Leningrad region.

The individual on the line indicated that the position was specifically for North Korean nationals, noting that “groups of 30 to 35 individuals will be arriving every seven to ten days, to be assigned to various construction projects.”

“The primary responsibilities include aiding workers in adapting to their job environments, organizing daily activities, providing safety orientations, and delineating the scope and methods of their tasks,” the employer elaborated.

The arrival of these workers has prompted involvement from academic and military institutions. The Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), a leading university for diplomatic training in Russia, recently advertised for a Korean military translation instructor.

Candidates are expected to possess military experience or an advanced degree, with salaries ranging from 100,000 to 120,000 rubles per month (approximately $1,000 to $1,300).

There is also a demand for translation services for formal business interactions.

The outsourcing firm Excelsior recently announced a vacancy for an interpreter to accompany a North Korean business delegation, which includes responsibilities such as providing simultaneous interpretation at meetings and events.

Pavel Belenets, a representative from the Primorsky-based development company Eskadra, reported in late June that over 150,000 North Koreans have applied for jobs in Russia.

He estimated that around 15,000 are currently working in sectors mainly focused on construction and restoration, a number that could potentially rise to 50,000 by the end of the year.

Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu mentioned last month that about 6,000 North Korean “specialists” would be sent to the Kursk border region for reconstruction efforts following Ukraine’s incursion.

Similar plans have been considered for regions of eastern Ukraine that have been affected by the war and are under Russian control, including the Donbas area.

United Nations sanctions prevent member states from hiring North Korean workers abroad, due to concerns that their earnings could be diverted to the regime in Pyongyang.

Human rights organizations have extensively documented the severe conditions faced by North Koreans employed overseas, highlighting cases of surveillance, forced labor, and salary confiscation by the state.