North Korea rejects report on overseas workers and monitoring group

The North Korean Foreign Ministry has rejected a report regarding its overseas workers, labeling the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team a “ghost group lacking any legality.” The report, issued by a US-led group of 11 nations, claims that between 35,600 and over 100,000 North Korean workers remain in at least 17 countries, primarily China and Russia, in violation of UN sanctions requiring their repatriation.

The monitoring group also alleged that some North Korean workers in Russia are involved in the manufacturing of military drones. Pyongyang defended its international economic exchanges, stating such cooperation “cannot be subject to interference or investigation of a third party,” and vowed to counter efforts to obstruct its development.

The Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team was formed in October 2024 following Russia's decision to block the renewal of the UN Panel of Experts' mandate. While the UN Panel of Experts' mandate expired in April 2024 after a Russian veto, the underlying UN sanctions remain in force.