New images released by North Korean state media on Friday depict leader Kim Jong Un kneeling before portraits of soldiers who died while fighting for Russia against Ukraine.
The images show an emotional Kim consoling a returned soldier and awarding medals in a solemn ceremony, as Pyongyang’s leadership praised the soldiers as “heroes” for their sacrifices, reports BBC.
South Korean and Western intelligence agencies have reported that North Korea sent over 10,000 soldiers to Russia in 2024, primarily to the Kursk region. In addition to troops, North Korea also supplied artillery shells, missiles, and long-range rocket systems. Seoul claims that approximately 600 North Korean soldiers were killed, with thousands more wounded in the conflict.
The ceremony, held at the Workers’ Party headquarters in Pyongyang, featured portraits of the fallen soldiers displayed alongside their names on stage. During the event, Kim praised the “admirable” troops who “returned home with great honour” after enduring a deadly war abroad. Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Kim’s tribute to those who fought in the “hail of bullets and bombs” of the “life-and-death” conflict.
In one of the images, Kim is seen embracing a returned soldier who appeared deeply emotional, burying his face in the leader’s chest during the ceremony. Kim was also photographed kneeling before the portraits of the fallen soldiers, offering medals and flowers in a show of respect.
Kim personally awarded the title of “DPRK (North Korea) hero” to commanding officers who fought in the overseas operations and “performed distinguished feats,” according to KCNA. The leader also laid flowers at a memorial wall and met with the bereaved families to share in their grief and console them.
North Korea confirmed its deployment of troops to support Russia’s war in Ukraine in April, acknowledging that its soldiers had been killed in the conflict. US President Donald Trump has held talks with Russian and Ukrainian leaders in recent days, but there has been little tangible progress in resolving the ongoing war. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently praised the North Korean troops, calling them “heroic” in a letter to Kim, according to Pyongyang’s state media.
Washington has also raised concerns, citing evidence that Russia is increasing its support for North Korea, particularly in advanced space and satellite technology, in exchange for North Korean assistance in the war against Ukraine.