North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has awarded medals to soldiers who returned—and posthumously honored those who died—after serving in Russia’s war against Ukraine, according to a report from North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
In an emotional ceremony, Kim met with the families of fallen soldiers, commending their sacrifice and praising what he described as the “heroic” role of North Korean forces overseas. “The combat activities of overseas operational forces proved without regret the power of the heroic army,” Kim said, according to KCNA. He added that the involvement in the “liberation of Kursk” showcased the “fighting spirit of the heroes.”
KCNA reported that Kim laid flowers at a memorial wall honoring the North Korean soldiers who died abroad. A concert was held for the troops who returned from the front lines, and a banquet was organized for bereaved families.
Photos released by KCNA show Kim embracing grieving family members in what appeared to be a solemn and emotional encounter.
South Korean and Western intelligence sources estimate that North Korea sent more than 10,000 troops to Russia’s Kursk region in 2024. Along with personnel, Pyongyang is also believed to have supplied artillery shells, missiles, and long-range rocket systems for use in the conflict. Around 600 North Korean soldiers were reportedly killed and thousands more wounded during the fighting, according to South Korean intelligence.
Kim’s remarks come as U.S. President Donald Trump intensifies efforts—so far unsuccessful—to broker an end to the war, recently holding high-profile meetings with both Russian and Ukrainian leaders.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised North Korean troops as “heroic,” but has yet to engage in direct peace talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Russian attacks have escalated in recent weeks, as Moscow’s forces continue to gain ground in the conflict.
Ties between Russia and North Korea have deepened significantly in the past year. The two nations signed a mutual defense pact during Putin’s visit to Pyongyang, marking a notable shift in their strategic alliance.