North Korea Sends AI Scientists to Russia for Strategic Tech Collaboration
North Korea has begun dispatching artificial intelligence (AI) researchers, students, and interns to Russia as part of a growing technological partnership aimed at strengthening Pyongyang’s domestic AI capabilities. This cooperation comes despite stringent international sanctions, particularly by the UN Security Council, that target AI and related IT exchanges. Kim Kwang Hyok, director of the AI Institute at North Korea’s Kim Il Sung University, confirmed this effort in an interview, stating that Russia is among the countries participating in this program to advance North Korea’s tech sector.
Strengthening AI Capabilities Amid Sanctions
North Korea faces significant challenges due to imposed sanctions that limit technology imports and collaborations. Kim acknowledged that sanctions on information technology, especially in AI, pose substantial obstacles. However, North Korean researchers continue working on AI applications domestically. Notable achievements include the development of “Ryongma,” a multilingual translation app supporting seven languages, including English, Russian, and Chinese, available since 2021 on mobile devices. Additionally, efforts are underway to integrate AI into healthcare by developing an intelligent platform for a hospital currently under construction in Pyongyang.
Limitations and Technical Challenges
Despite the political will, infrastructural and technical hurdles remain formidable. South Korean authorities have reported that only three semiconductor plants are currently operational in North Korea, creating a bottleneck that could significantly impede any large-scale AI rollout and indigenous hardware development. Russia, while a key partner, also faces shortages in high-performance chips and GPUs essential for advanced AI research, limiting its ability to supply Pyongyang with cutting-edge hardware. This suggests that the partnership may focus more on knowledge exchange, training, and software development than on hardware procurement.
A Growing Strategic Alliance with Security Implications
This AI collaboration is part of a broader deepening of ties between North Korea and Russia, especially since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Both nations are working to develop self-reliant technology sectors to circumvent international sanctions. Experts warn that advanced AI capabilities could bolster not only civilian sectors but also military and cyber operations in North Korea, escalating global security risks. The partnership extends beyond AI to other areas of science and technology, emphasizing secrecy and strategic cooperation.
This development underscores Pyongyang’s strategic move to leverage its growing relationship with Moscow to advance its AI ambitions, despite global efforts to isolate it technologically. The international community is closely monitoring these activities due to their potential implications for regional stability and security.