North Korean Leader Praises the Courage of His Soldiers Fighting for Russia

SadaNews - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un praised the "unparalleled courage" of his country's soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces against Ukraine during his visit to a memorial being built for the victims of that war, according to the Korean Central News Agency.

While inspecting the site, Kim stated, according to the official North Korean agency, "The unparalleled courage and heroism displayed by the soldiers of the Korean People's Army who are participating in external military operations must be etched in history as a symbol of indomitable strength."

The Russian ambassador to North Korea attended the ground-breaking ceremony for the "Memorial Combat Achievements Museum" in October, when Kim said that relations with Moscow had reached a "historic peak."

Although the Korean Central News Agency's report on Saturday did not mention Russia, Kim Jong Un pledged earlier this week, in a message published by the agency, "unconditional support" for all of President Vladimir Putin's policies and decisions.

North Korea has strengthened its ties with Moscow since the latter's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

According to South Korean and Western intelligence agencies, North Korea has sent thousands of soldiers to support the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has lasted nearly four years.

South Korean estimates indicate that 600 of these soldiers have been killed, with thousands more wounded.

Analysts say that North Korea, in return, is receiving financial assistance, military technology, and food and energy supplies from Russia.