According to a Radio Free Asia (RFA) report on Wednesday, North Korea has imported 24 premium-priced horses from Russia.
The Primorsky office of Rosselkhoznadzor said that it quarantined 19 stallions and five mares in the Vladimir region and loaded them in two special vehicles through the railway checkpoint in the border city of Khasan for shipment to North Korea.
This marks North Korea’s first purchase of Russian horses in approximately 21 months. According to the Russian customs agency and agriculture safety watchdog, Russia sent 30 and 21 horses to North Korea in November 2022 when rail cargo transport between the two countries resumed.
The Orlov Trotter breed from Russia is known for its striking appearance, strong endurance, and docile temperament, making it a preferred breed among North Korean leaders.
At the end of 2019, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un gained attention when he was seen riding a white Orlov Trotter up Mount Paektu.
Prices for the Orlov Trotter breed vary widely based on age, health, and lineage, with online listings ranging from a minimum of $1,000 to over $150,000.
Experts raised concerns about North Korea’s ability to care for the horses. Lee Hyun Seung, a former member of the North Korean elite who defected and is now a research fellow at the Maryland-based Global Peace Foundation, told RFA, “The horses imported this time are intended for horseback riding or cavalry units. Horses in North Korea often experience high mortality rates due to a lack of management skills and personnel, which is likely why they decided to import these horses.”