“A Korean tiler replaces two Russian tiles.” DPRK workers expected to be in Donetsk

Pushilin noted that North Korean builders had proven to be highly qualified specialists in projects prior to the imposition of Western sanctions against North Korea. On July 14, Pushilin announced the possible participation of North Korean specialists in the restoration of Donbass.

“The DPR State Department is negotiating to involve builders in the restoration of DPR sites, including North Korea.

North Korea used to send its builders to other countries before Western sanctions, it had a certain pattern. The builders at the DPRK are highly qualified, disciplined, and deliver really good results.”

– Pushilin noted that in the near future the first group of experts from the DPRK will come to the DPR to assess the scope of work.

In recent weeks, there has been the rapid establishment of diplomatic and humanitarian channels between the countries, against the background of Pyongyang recognition of the DPR and LPR, which took place on July 13. For example, the parties are evaluating the possibility of the visits of the leaders of the two countries and the exchange of delegations.

Pushilin also said that the foreign ministries of the DPR and DPRK are working on the selection of buildings for the embassies in both countries. “We exchanged notes, diplomatic relations are established within the framework of recognition. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working on all these points. [по выбору помещений для посольств в странах]. This is the painstaking work of foreign affairs institutions,” he said.

Mediation and evaluation of Moscow

On August 8, Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora said that Moscow is ready to participate in the establishment of ties between Pyongyang and Donetsk if necessary.

“As far as I know, our colleagues from the embassies of the DPRK and LDPR accredited in Russia have established excellent business relations among themselves and are in contact with each other, actively working on bilateral and trilateral cooperation in various fields. If they need help, and Moscow gives us appropriate instructions, the embassy “We have the experience and knowledge that our friends can use,” he said.

He noted that the possible participation of Korean builders in the restoration of the Donbass republics is in the zone of responsibility of Donetsk, Lugansk and Pyongyang.

On August 1, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin made a positive statement about North Korean builders, noting the productivity of workers in North Korea.

“Very interesting North Korean market. They are of course very good workers, but [страна] closed. Let’s say a Korean tiler lays 2.5 times more than a Russian tile. It turned out that he single-handedly took the place of two Russian tilers. It’s a fact,” said Khusnullin.

Accelerated Relationship Development

Pyongyang’s recognition of the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics led to harsh criticism from Kiev, followed by the rupture of diplomatic relations with the DPRK on 13 July. In Kiev, such a move by Pyongyang was considered “an attempt to undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” In Donbass, recognition by the DPRK was considered an expansion of the opportunities of the republics in the international arena, since after the DPRK other states will consider recognizing the independence of the LDNR.

Already on July 14, it became known about the desire of the DPRK to develop interstate relations with the DPR and LPR on the basis of “the principles of independence, peace and friendship.” On July 21, Pushilin instructed the republic’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to establish diplomatic relations with the DPRK, in his opinion “this will turn into mutually beneficial economic relations in the future.” Then he said that the republic is interested in helping the DPRK with specialists to restore the destroyed cities.

“As for the restoration, when it comes to support, when it comes to help in the construction, we also have certain desires here, and we know that we will definitely need personnel, we will definitely need builders, there are such qualifications in the DPRK, we will act on this in this regard,” said Pushilin.

On July 29, DPRK and DPR Ambassadors to Russia Sin Hong-chul and Olga Makeeva discussed the development of bilateral relations. Then, Makeeva informed the DPRK ambassador that Pushilin was ready to visit the DPRK and meet with the president of the North Korean Republic, Kim Jong-un.