Kim Jong Un has expressed his “deep condolences” to the families of North Korean soldiers who lost their lives while fighting for Russia in the ongoing war in Ukraine, according to state media reports.
In a solemn ceremony on Friday, Kim was seen presenting portraits of the fallen soldiers, draped in the North Korean flag, to their grieving families.
The emotional moment took place in a formal hall, where Kim comforted the bereaved, sharing in their sorrow.
The South Korean government estimates that North Korea has sent approximately 15,000 troops to support Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine, alongside providing missiles and long-range weaponry.
In return, North Korea is believed to have received food supplies, financial assistance, and technical support.
North Korea acknowledged its participation in the conflict in April, confirming that some of its soldiers had been killed during the fighting.
While earlier reports from Western officials indicated that at least 1,000 North Korean troops had died within three months of deployment, newer estimates suggest that around 600 have perished, with several thousand others wounded.
Friday’s gathering was the second such meeting in recent days.
Kim, visibly moved, expressed his sorrow over the loss of these soldiers, promising to build a monument in their honor and ensuring the welfare of their families, particularly their children.
He also noted the importance of meeting with the families who had not yet been able to participate in such a ceremony, aiming to ease their grief and provide solace.
State news agency KCNA quoted Kim as saying, “I have thought a lot about the families of other martyrs who could not be present today… I wanted to personally console the families of all the heroes and help relieve their suffering, even if just a little.”
In the coming week, Kim is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in China, marking their third meeting in two years.
The meeting comes at a time of intensifying cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. In October 2023, Kim sent Putin a birthday message, calling him his “closest comrade.”
That same month, the Russian parliament ratified a military agreement with North Korea, promising mutual assistance in case of aggression.
While North Korea boasts a vast military force of around 1.28 million active soldiers, its participation in the Ukrainian conflict marked its first significant combat engagement abroad in recent history.
