Pyongyang: North Korea has officially acknowledged for the first time that it sent soldiers to assist Russia in its war against Ukraine.
In a statement released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Monday, the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers' Party revealed that North Korean troops participated in reclaiming the Kursk region from Ukrainian forces.
According to KCNA, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the deployment was carried out under the mutual defense agreement signed with Russia, describing the mission as an effort to "eradicate the Ukrainian neo-Nazi occupiers" and "liberate the Kursk area" alongside Russian forces.
Kim praised the North Korean soldiers, calling them "heroes" and symbols of national pride. The KCNA further emphasized North Korea’s honor in maintaining an alliance with Russia, referring to it as a "powerful state."
This admission follows the signing of a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty between Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin in June last year, which pledged military support for each country in times of conflict.
South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency also reported that Kim plans to erect a monument in Pyongyang dedicated to the North Korean troops who fought and died in Russia. According to Yonhap, the memorial will serve to honor the fallen, with floral tributes laid at their graves.
Ukrainian officials have earlier stated that approximately 14,000 North Korean troops were deployed, including 3,000 replacements following initial heavy losses. Despite suffering significant casualties due to a lack of armored vehicles and unfamiliarity with drone warfare, North Korean forces reportedly adapted and played a role in helping Russia regain control in the region.
However the casualties claims are different as South Korea’s National Intelligence Service estimated around 300 deaths and 2,700 injuries among North Korean forces, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested the total number of killed or wounded could be as high as 4,000. Meanwhile, U.S. estimates placed the figure closer to 1,200.
The announcement comes after Russia’s Chief of Staff, Valery Gerasimov, praised the North Korean troops’ “heroism” over the weekend, stating they played a "significant role" in pushing back Ukrainian forces in Kursk. However, Ukraine’s General Staff quickly disputed these claims, insisting that their defensive operations in the region were ongoing.
The U.S. State Department responded on Sunday by condemning the involvement of North Korea and other countries in sustaining Russia’s war efforts, reiterating calls for an end to Moscow’s support for Pyongyang.
Meanwhile, In a fresh statement issued by the Kremlin on Monday, Putin expressed his gratitude to the North Korean troops, praising their "bravery, exceptional training, and commitment." He acknowledged that the North Korean fighters stood side by side with Russian forces in defending the Russian homeland, treating it as their own.
