Kim Jong Un has publicly acknowledged sending soldiers to assist Vladimir Putin in the conflict in Ukraine. The North Korean troops were dispatched to the Kursk region earlier this year to aid in mine clearance operations. Despite initially staying silent on their involvement, Kim Jong Un praised his soldiers’ efforts in a recent ceremony, thanking them for their “heroic” work.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, triggered by Putin’s invasion, has resulted in the deaths of over 50,000 Ukrainian civilians according to the UN. Kim Jong Un expressed gratitude to his troops, some of whom were injured during the mission, in a ceremony that marked a shift from his previous silence on the matter.
Kim Jong Un commended his soldiers for their unwavering loyalty and dedication, highlighting their bravery and commitment to the cause. The soldiers, who faced challenging conditions daily, were praised for their perseverance and sacrifice.
Following their return from the mission, Kim Jong Un embraced the soldiers, including those in wheelchairs due to injuries sustained during the operation. He announced that the fallen soldiers would be honored posthumously as Heroes of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
The North Korean soldiers deployed to the Kursk region reportedly helped clear more than 1.5 million explosive devices from an area equivalent to 80 football fields. Kim Jong Un lauded their achievement in transforming a dangerous zone into a safe area within a remarkably short time frame.
Despite their recent deployment, North Korean soldiers had been spotted in Russia prior to the mission. One soldier, captured by Ukrainians in February, expressed unawareness of the intended target and expressed a desire to seek asylum in South Korea.
Kim Jong Un confirmed the deployment of troops to assist Putin in April, following earlier estimates suggesting around 15,000 North Koreans could be working in Russia during the year.