North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has awarded medals to his country’s troops, hailing them as heroes for their service in Russia’s war against Ukraine. The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Friday that Kim held an emotional meeting with the families of soldiers killed in the conflict, embracing visibly emotional relatives.
According to KCNA, Kim praised the “combat activities of overseas operational forces,” stating they “proved without regret the power of the heroic [North Korean] army.” He also specifically cited the “liberation of Kursk” as proof of the soldiers’ fighting spirit. The report noted that a concert and banquet were held for returning soldiers and the families of the fallen.
The North Korean leader’s remarks came as South Korean and Western intelligence agencies claim Pyongyang has deployed more than 10,000 soldiers to Russia’s Kursk region since 2024. These troops were reportedly sent to assist Russian forces, along with a significant supply of artillery shells, missiles, and long-range rocket systems. Seoul’s intelligence estimates suggest that roughly 600 North Korean soldiers were killed and thousands more were wounded while fighting for Russia.
Kim’s public acknowledgment of the troops comes amid a flurry of international diplomatic activity, including recent talks by US President Donald Trump to mediate an end to the conflict. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who recently praised the North Korean troops as “heroic,” has reportedly avoided peace talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Moscow’s attacks on Ukraine have intensified, with Russian forces making significant gains on the front lines.
The deepening alliance between Russia and North Korea was solidified last year when the two nations signed a mutual defense pact during Putin’s visit to the reclusive state.
