North Korea has officially confirmed that it deployed troops to Russia, marking its first public acknowledgment of involvement in the war against Ukraine. The state news agency KCNA reported on Monday that Pyongyang’s soldiers participated in operations to help Moscow reclaim territory in the Kursk region, a part of Russia’s western border.
This confirmation follows Russia’s earlier admission and reports from South Korean and Western intelligence agencies, which had indicated that over 10,000 North Korean soldiers had been sent to the Kursk region last year.
Troops Sent Under Mutual Defense Treaty
In its report, North Korea’s Central Military Commission stated that the deployment was in line with a mutual defense treaty between Pyongyang and Moscow. The commission confirmed that North Korean troops had participated in “operations for liberating the Kursk areas” as ordered by the North’s head of state, Kim Jong Un.
Kim Jong Un praised the soldiers, declaring them “heroes” and representatives of North Korea’s honor. He also revealed that a monument would soon be built in the capital to commemorate the troops’ “battle feats,” acknowledging the deaths of several North Korean soldiers during the operation.
Acknowledgment of Casualties and National Honors
Kim stressed the importance of honoring the families of the fallen soldiers. “The country must take important national measures to specially honor and care for the families of war veterans,” he said.
The Central Military Commission stated that the operation had been successfully concluded, claiming that North Korean troops played a crucial role in repelling what it called an “adventurous invasion” by Ukraine into Russian territory.
Russian Military Hails North Korean Troops
Russian Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov commended the North Korean soldiers for their “significant assistance” in defeating Ukrainian armed forces in the region. He called their efforts heroic and crucial to the success of the Russian military operations.
South Korea Condemns North Korea’s Actions
South Korea’s Ministry of Defence condemned North Korea‘s actions, asserting that the deployment violated UN Security Council resolutions. A spokesperson for the Ministry emphasized that by officially acknowledging the deployment, North Korea had admitted to its involvement in the conflict.
The Strategic Significance of the Disclosure
Experts suggest that North Korea and Russia had agreed in advance to disclose the troop deployment to mitigate any potential internal or international backlash. Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, explained that the two nations likely weighed the benefits of compensation for the deployed troops against the potential diplomatic fallout. He also noted that North Korea may have sought to use this opportunity to secure greater rewards from Russia by portraying its role in the victory.
Ukrainian Forces Still Fighting in Kursk
Despite Russia’s claims of liberating the Kursk region, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Sunday that Ukrainian forces continue to engage in combat in the area.
Future Plans for Kim Jong Un and Russia’s Victory Day Celebrations
The public acknowledgment of North Korea’s involvement in the Kursk operation has raised speculation about Kim Jong Un’s potential attendance at Russia’s upcoming Victory Day celebrations on May 9. Russia is planning its largest-ever Victory Day parade to mark the 80th anniversary of its victory over Nazi Germany, and while Kim’s attendance is uncertain, experts suggest that the recapture of Kursk could serve as a justification for his participation in the event.
