Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has expressed high praise for the ground commanders of North Korean troops deployed in Russia's war on Ukraine, as reported by the North's state media on Thursday. The meeting with commanding officers of the Korean People's Army's overseas operation unit took place Wednesday upon their return home for a commendation ceremony, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim received a detailed briefing on the military activities of North Korean forces abroad. He commended their achievements in leading the combat units to victory in the operations to liberate the Kursk Region of the Russian Federation. He emphasized the "most important duty" assigned to them and extended "warm militant encouragement" to all commanders and combatants on the mission.
The KCNA quoted Kim Jong-un as stating that the North Korean army has demonstrated its unique qualities, reinforcing its reputation as the world's most powerful army. He assured that the army is fulfilling its duties and will continue doing so in the future.
Photographs released by KCNA showed high-ranking military officials, including General Staff vice chief Ri Chang-ho, attending the meeting. These officials were reported to have been deployed to the early stages of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The report also mentioned the upcoming commendation ceremony for service members involved in the overseas mission.
An official from Seoul's unification ministry noted that while the meeting officially confirmed North Korea's troop deployment to Russia, it also appeared to serve the purpose of justifying the deployment and boosting troop morale. This event marks North Korea's first-ever commendation awarded to troops who have fought overseas.