Pyongyang: Russia's ambassador to North Korea, Alexandr Matsegora, highlighted Pyongyang's troop deployment as a testament to the strong partnership between Russia and North Korea. This statement was made during a reception marking the 80th anniversary of Russia's World War II victory over Nazi Germany, as reported by North Korea's state media outlet, KCNA.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the event took place at a hotel in Pyongyang, where Matsegora emphasized the strategic alliance between the Russian Federation and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, referencing the operations in the Kursk area. The ambassador's speech underscored the significance of the deployment, with Russian President Vladimir Putin expressing gratitude to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Matsegora mentioned that areas reclaimed by Russia would be named after "North Korean heroes," with monuments erected in their honor.
Last month, official confirmations from both Russia and North Korea acknowledged the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia's front line in Kursk. This followed reports from South Korea's spy agency in October, which indicated that approximately 12,000 North Korean soldiers had been dispatched to support Russia in its conflict with Ukraine.
During the same event, North Korea's Defense Minister, No Kwang-chol, characterized the conflict as a "great patriotic victory," asserting that it preserved Russia's dignity and protected humanity from disaster. He expressed confidence in Russia's ability to achieve another victory, committing North Korea's military support for Russia's efforts to safeguard its sovereignty and territory.
The banquet was attended by several high-ranking North Korean officials, including Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, and a Belarusian government delegation, which was visiting for discussions on economic cooperation.