North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, confirmed in a recent speech that his country deployed troops to the Kursk region of Russia earlier this year for mine-clearing operations. This admission marks a rare instance of Pyongyang acknowledging the hazardous tasks assigned to its military personnel.
According to South Korean and Western intelligence reports, North Korea has contributed thousands of troops to bolster Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has persisted for nearly four years. In exchange, analysts suggest that Russia is providing North Korea with various forms of support, including financial aid, military technology, food supplies, and energy resources. This relationship aids North Korea in evading stringent international sanctions imposed on its nuclear and missile initiatives.
During the welcoming ceremony for the engineering regiment that returned from their deployment, Kim Jong Un recognized the soldiers’ challenges, stating that they took the time to write letters home between mine-clearing duties. The North Korean leader lamented the loss of nine soldiers from the regiment, who died during the 120-day mission that commenced in August. To honor their sacrifice, Kim awarded state honors aimed at “adding eternal lustre” to their bravery.
In his speech, Kim praised the regiment’s performance, highlighting their ability to transform a hazardous area into a secure zone in just under three months and commended the soldiers for their extraordinary resilience in the face of significant mental and physical strain.
Images released by state media depicted a visibly emotional Kim embracing returning soldiers, some visibly injured or in wheelchairs. The setting showcased Kim consoling the families of fallen soldiers and paying his respects before portraits of the deceased, placing medals and flowers beside them.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Kim expressed the “pain of waiting” for a hundred and twenty days, conveying a deep connection to the families of the soldiers lost in the line of duty.
In a broader geopolitical context, just last month, Kim attended a significant military parade in Beijing alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping. Kim’s recent actions and statements, including his lack of response to an offer to meet from former President Donald Trump during a trip to Asia, highlight North Korea’s continuing isolation on the global stage. The regime’s acknowledgment of troop deployments and casualties had only been made public in April, marking a notable shift in their communication strategy.
