On Tuesday, North Korean state media released images depicting leader Kim Jong Un mourning over flag-adorned coffins of North Korean soldiers who died while fighting alongside Russian troops in Ukraine. Meanwhile, South Korea’s Defense Ministry stated that they have yet to observe any indications of further troop deployments from the North.
North Korea has become a significant ally of Russia since the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, sending thousands of soldiers and arms supplies to support Moscow’s efforts in pushing Ukrainian forces back from the Kursk border area.
According to South Korean lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun, who referenced intelligence from Seoul’s espionage agency, approximately 600 North Korean soldiers have lost their lives, with thousands more injured in service to Russia.
Korean Central Television broadcast footage of a somber Kim placing a North Korean flag on a coffin during a ceremony held in Pyongyang on Sunday. This event, which was attended by Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova, commemorated the one-year anniversary of a military agreement between Pyongyang and Moscow that includes a mutual defense provision.
State television also displayed battlefield imagery of North Korean troops accompanied by captions such as: “Oh, our heroes, glowing stars of my homeland,” and “Those who sacrificed their lives without hesitation to uphold honor shine like brilliant stars.”
Attendees from both nations were observed in tears during the tribute.
A photo of a document, allegedly signed by Kim, appeared to reveal his approval of operational plans for the “liberation of Kursk” and directives for North Korean special operations forces to launch attacks in late 2024.
At the ceremony, Kim was joined by his teenage daughter, Ju Ae, whom analysts speculate he is preparing as his potential successor.
In April, North Korea officially acknowledged the deployment of troops to assist Russia in its military campaign and confirmed casualties among its personnel.
Last week, lawmaker Lee mentioned that Pyongyang might dispatch additional forces to Ukraine as soon as this month, based on information from South Korea’s National Intelligence Service.
However, South Korea’s Defense Ministry reported on Tuesday that it currently detects “no signs” of imminent troop movements, explaining that North Korean units are in their annual summer training phase, with some front-line divisions engaged in mid-year exercises.
