Seoul:<Text>
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has awarded commendations to the country's troops deployed to Russia's war with Ukraine, referring to them as "great heroes and patriots" while consoling the bereaved families of fallen soldiers, as reported by state media.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) announced that North Korea held a ceremony to honor commanders and combatants of the overseas operation unit of the Korean People's Army (KPA) who returned from the battlefield. This event marked the first instance where North Korea has awarded commendations to its soldiers who fought overseas.
The ceremony, held at the headquarters of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, saw Kim Jong-un praising troops stationed in the front-line Kursk region. He emphasized that the victory achieved by North Korean soldiers was a significant achievement that safeguarded the honor of the KPA and ensured the stability and progress of the state.
Kim highlighted the bravery shown by North Korean troops, stating that any army opposing them would face dire consequences. Since October of the previous year, North Korea has supported Russia's war efforts by providing conventional weapons and deploying approximately 13,000 troops as part of deepening military cooperation between the two nations.
During his address, Kim mentioned the "victorious conclusion" of these overseas military operations but did not specify the timeline for withdrawing North Korean soldiers from the Kursk region. At the ceremony, he awarded the title of "DPRK Hero" to commanders and service members for their accomplishments on the battlefield, according to the KCNA.
Kim also paid tribute to the fallen soldiers by placing DPRK Hero medals beside their portraits on a "memorial wall" at the party's headquarters. Although state media displayed 101 portraits of war dead, the KCNA did not confirm if these represented all those killed in combat.
In April, South Korea's spy agency reported that around 600 North Korean soldiers were believed to have been killed while fighting for Russia, with more than 4,000 sustaining injuries. Kim Jong-un, appearing emotional, was photographed consoling bereaved family members, aiming to project an image of a leader who cares for his people.
Kim also called for the KPA to become "elite and strong" armed forces, emphasizing the need for "perfecting" preparations for potential military conflicts. He stressed that the current environment demands constant vigilance and further preparation for war.
South Korea's unification ministry stated that Kim's actions appear to be aimed at "justifying the troop deployment and boosting morale" within the military. Deputy spokesperson Chang Yoon-jeong noted that it was the first time North Korea disclosed the identities and photos of its troops involved in the Russia-Ukraine war, and the ministry would continue to monitor the situation closely.
The ceremony occurred amid speculation of a potential summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to negotiate a peace deal to end the ongoing conflict. Russian media also reported that North Korea plans to send additional personnel to support reconstruction efforts in Kursk.