North Korea Commemorates Fallen Soldiers in Support of Russia Amid Ukraine Conflict

In an unprecedented move, North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un has acknowledged the deployment of troops to support Russia in the Ukraine war. He plans to honor fallen soldiers with a monument in Pyongyang, marking a significant moment in the nations' military cooperation.

North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, has recently acknowledged his country's military involvement in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, affirming that North Korean troops are fighting alongside Russian forces. In a move that highlights the growing alliance between Pyongyang and Moscow, Kim has ordered the construction of a monument in honor of soldiers who lost their lives in the conflict. State media reported the announcement, heralding what they described as a “new chapter of history” in the “firm militant friendship” between North Korea and Russia.

This declaration follows reports that as many as 4,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or injured while supporting Russian efforts in the struggle to reclaim territories in the Kursk region previously lost to Ukrainian forces. Kim Jong-un publicly praised the “heroism” displayed by his troops, further emphasizing their critical role in assisting Russian military operations. The North’s official news outlet, the Korean Central News Agency, relayed Kim's intentions to erect a monument in the capital where flowers will be laid in memory of the fallen soldiers.

In conjunction with North Korea’s acknowledgment, Russian military leadership, including General Valery Gerasimov, commended the North Korean troops for their bravery and substantial contributions toward the “complete liberation” of the Kursk border area. This recognition from Russia marks the first official statement regarding the presence of North Korean fighters within its ranks, signifying an escalation in military collaboration amid the ongoing geopolitical conflict.