North Korean leader Kim Jong Un claims troops were dispatched to aid Russia in ‘destroying’ Ukrainian forces through a military agreement with Moscow.
North Korea has officially acknowledged that it has sent military personnel to Russia to assist in the ongoing conflict against Ukraine, stating that these troops played a role in reclaiming territories in the Kursk region occupied by Ukrainian forces.
A statement released by North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Monday revealed that the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers’ Party confirmed this military support, saying that Kim Jong Un had deployed troops alongside Russian soldiers as part of a mutual defense agreement between the two nations.
The KCNA reported that Kim stated the soldiers were sent to “destroy the Ukrainian neo-Nazi invaders and liberate the Kursk area in partnership with Russian military forces.”
“Those who battled for justice are all heroes and representatives of our nation’s honor,” KCNA quoted Kim as declaring.
North Korea considers it a privilege to ally with a powerful nation like the Russian Federation, as noted by the KCNA.
In June of last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty, agreeing to assist one another militarily in times of war.
According to South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency, Kim also announced plans to erect a monument in the capital city of Pyongyang to honor those who fought against Ukraine.
“Flowers praying for immortality will be placed at the graves of fallen soldiers, explicitly acknowledging troops killed in battle,” Yonhap reported, highlighting that North Korea had previously remained silent about the thousands of its soldiers sent to Russia in October.
Ukrainian officials indicated earlier this year that around 14,000 North Korean troops were deployed against Ukrainian forces, which included 3,000 replacements sent due to earlier battlefield losses.
Lacking armored vehicles and experience with drone warfare, North Korean forces initially suffered heavy casualties. However, reports indicate they adapted quickly and later played a role in reclaiming parts of Russia’s Kursk region from occupying Ukrainian forces.
Estimates regarding the casualty rate among North Korean troops fighting for Russia have fluctuated significantly.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) reported in January that approximately 300 North Korean soldiers had died in combat, with an additional 2,700 injured.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned that the number of killed or wounded North Korean soldiers could reach 4,000, while the United States provided a lower estimate of about 1,200 casualties.
This statement from North Korea comes after Russian Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov praised the “heroism” of North Korean soldiers, noting their “significant assistance in defeating Ukrainian armed forces” and reporting to Putin that Kursk had been retaken.
Ukraine’s General Staff quickly responded, asserting that their defensive operations in certain parts of Kursk were still ongoing.
The US State Department issued a statement on Sunday evening, declaring that North Korea and other “third countries” were complicit in prolonging Russia’s war on Ukraine and emphasized that this conflict, along with Moscow’s support for Pyongyang, must come to an end.
