In brief
In a historic pronouncement, North Korea's Kim Jong-un has confirmed the presence of North Korean troops in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, celebrating their sacrifices alongside Russian forces.
North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, has formally acknowledged the deployment of troops to aid Russia in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, a significant development in bilateral military relations. In a statement released by the state media on Monday, Kim ordered the construction of a monument to honor North Korean soldiers who lost their lives in battle, highlighting their “heroism and bravery.” The announcement follows years of speculation regarding North Korea’s involvement, making it the first official confirmation of troop deployment. In a commemorative ceremony this past Saturday, Russian military chief Valery Gerasimov lauded the courage of North Korean forces, suggesting their involvement was pivotal in achieving military successes, particularly in the Kursk region. Reports indicate that approximately 4,000 North Korean soldiers may have been killed or wounded in combat. On the occasion, Kim expressed his intention to erect a monument in Pyongyang to memorialize the fallen, reaffirming the deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia amidst the ongoing war.
