North Korea’s Kim Decorates ‘Heroic’ Troops Who Fought for Russia
The North Korean chief Kim Jong One decorated some of the soldiers sent to Russia to help him in his war against Ukraine, welcoming the “heroes” who had “cemented” the reputation of the North Korean army and saying that there would be more deployments of this type.
Why it matters
North Korea has sent around 15,000 soldiers to Russia, according to South Korean estimates, and also provided vital military equipment to Russia for its war, including artillery and ballistic missiles.
North Korea only recognized its role in the Ukrainian conflict approximately six months after the first reports emerged from its troops on the front line in the Russian Kursk region, where they were deployed following a foray into Ukrainian forces.
Deployment has reported an increasing international statement of the isolated state and highlighted its close ties to Russia. He also alarmed the rival of North Korea, South Korea, as well as Ukraine and its allies.
Kim has won Jin / AFP / Getty images
What to know
Kim, in a speech during a ceremony to assign medals to commanders and combatants, praised the troops sent to Kursk under the name of “great heroes and patriots”, reported the Central Korean Central Press Agency (KCNA).
Kim also placed medals next to the portraits of “martyrs” and photos published by the state media have shown that Kim with portraits hanging on a “commemorative wall” at the headquarters of the ruling party.
In total, 101 portraits of war dead were seen on the wall, reported the Yonhap news agency in South Korea.
The North Korean state media have not given any assessment for fighting in Russia.
The main intelligence agency in South Korea said in April that around 600 North Korean soldiers were said to have been killed by fighting for Russia and more than 4,000 were injured.
Kim has also consoled the bereaved families, the photos published by the KCNA showed. A concert took place for the return soldiers as well as for a banquet which included members of the bereaved family, said KCNA.
Kim received a detailed report on the combat units sent to Russia at a meeting with commanders on Wednesday.
He “much appreciated their exploits to direct the combat units of our armed forces, which participated in the operations to release the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, in victory,” the voice of Korea reported, the international state broadcaster.
“Ours is a heroic army,” said Kim, adding that deployment had “cemented” the reputation of the army worldwide
“Our army now does what it should do and what should be done. It will also do it in the future,” he said.
Links with Russia have been strengthened since deployment. Ukraine’s highest military intelligence official said this month Russia helps North Korea to modernization Its nuclear weapons delivery systems and a senior Ukrainian intelligence official said in June that Russia had agreed to help North Korea Make Shahed drones designed by Irania.
What people say
Kim said during the medal ceremony: “The victory won by the brave soldiers who participated in the war is an excellent feat which firmly defended the great honor of KPA (Korean People’s Army), which should never be undermined and has ensured a safe guarantee for the existence and development of our state.”
