Russia—a Re-emerging Donor in North Korea

Abstract Foreign aid has become an integral instrument of Russia’s policy towards North Korea since the 2000s. Based on quantitative and qualitative data this study systematically maps and discusses Russia’s aid disbursements to the DPRK in 2000–2020. It is shown that debt relief constituted the largest share and the significance of humanitarian assistance had increased. Unlike in the Soviet period when ideological motives prevailed in rendering foreign aid, the beginning of the 21st century saw a re-emerging of Russia’s international assistance mainly driven by pragmatic political and economic considerations without excessive obligations on both bilateral and multilateral levels. Although recipient need was considered in aid allocation, volumes were too small to solve North Korea’s food insecurity and malnutrition. This study contributes to a broader strategic picture of Russia’s policy towards North Korea.