Kim Jong Un Meets Families of North Korean Soldiers Killed in Russia-Ukraine War
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has met with the families of soldiers killed while fighting for Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine, expressing his “deep condolences” during an official ceremony, state media reported.
The event, held on Friday, showed Kim consoling grieving relatives and personally handing them portraits of their fallen loved ones, each wrapped in the North Korean flag.
North Korea’s Military Role in Russia’s War
According to South Korean intelligence, around 15,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to support Russia, alongside missiles and long-range weapons. In exchange, Pyongyang is believed to have received food, financial aid, and technical support from Moscow.
While North Korea initially denied involvement, it admitted in April that some of its troops had been killed in Ukraine. Western officials previously estimated that at least 1,000 North Korean soldiers died within the first three months of deployment, while thousands more were wounded. Updated figures suggest around 600 confirmed deaths, though the true toll may be higher.
Kim Promises to Honor Fallen Soldiers
Friday’s gathering was the second memorial ceremony in a week. Kim expressed regret for not being able to bring the soldiers back alive, vowing to build a monument in their honor and ensure that their children are taken care of.
“I thought about the many families of martyrs who could not attend the last event,” Kim said, according to KCNA. “I wanted to meet them personally, offer comfort, and ease their grief, even if only a little.”
Growing Ties Between Moscow and Pyongyang
Kim Jong Un is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in China next week during a military parade marking Japan’s surrender in World War II. This will be their third meeting in two years, reflecting the strengthening alliance between North Korea and Russia.
Last October, Kim sent Putin a warm birthday message, calling him his “closest comrade.” That same month, Putin pushed forward a military cooperation pact with Pyongyang, pledging that the two countries would support each other in case of external aggression.
A Historic Shift in North Korea’s Army
North Korea maintains one of the world’s largest militaries, with around 1.28 million active soldiers. However, until the Ukraine deployment, its forces had no modern combat experience abroad. The war in Ukraine now marks a major—and controversial—shift in North Korea’s military engagement on the global stage.