A Russian region in Siberia plans to employ thousands of North Korean workers for multiple construction projects, a regional official announced Thursday, citing ongoing labor shortages amid Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

Alexei Kolmakov, head of the Novosibirsk Oblast construction ministry, said at a press conference that the regional construction industry is experiencing labor shortages estimated at 4,500-5,000 workers, which the region will partially address with DPRK workers in the near future.

“We requested [authorities] bring around 2,000 workers from North Korea,” he said.

Kolmakov explained Russia is interested in procuring “young people, students and construction industry specialists” from North Korea,