Pyongyang: North Korea's state media aired images on Monday showing leader Kim Jong-un mourning over soldiers believed to have been killed in Russia's conflict with Ukraine. The images, broadcast by Korean Central Television, depicted Kim solemnly placing a North Korean flag over a coffin during a ceremony for the return of fallen North Korean soldiers who were deployed in Moscow's war against Kyiv.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the photos were part of background footage during a joint cultural event co-hosted by North Korea and Russia in Pyongyang. This event marked the first anniversary of the signing of their "comprehensive strategic partnership" treaty. The images showed Kim accompanied by North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, with one particular photo capturing him placing both hands on a coffin, his lips tightly pressed.
The broadcast also included earlier photos of North Korean soldiers alongside Russian troops and a blood-stained notebook, believed to belong to a North Korean soldier, retrieved from the battleground in Russia's Kursk region. The notebook contained messages urging soldiers to fight bravely in what was described as a "sacred battle," with references to Kim as the "beloved Supreme Commander."
Footage of Russia's Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova, along with several other audience members wiping away tears, was repeatedly aired. Attendees, including Kim, wore winter clothing, indicating the repatriation ceremony likely took place months ago, suggesting that the remains might have started returning as early as last winter.
Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, noted, "North Korea probably wanted to frame the fallen soldiers not just as sacrifices but as part of a 'victory narrative.'" He added, "The footage appears to have been released after the two countries acknowledged the troop deployment and declared the Kursk operation a success."