North Korea confirmed for the first time that it had deployed troops to Russia, as reported by the state news agency KCNA on Monday. The report stated that North Korean soldiers aided Moscow in reclaiming territory in the Russian border region of Kursk, which had been under Ukrainian control.
This admission follows Russia’s recent confirmation of North Korea’s involvement, amidst intelligence reports from South Korean and Western agencies indicating the deployment of over 10,000 North Korean soldiers to Kursk last year. The North’s Central Military Commission claimed that these troops participated in operations aimed at liberating the Kursk area, following orders from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Kim described the soldiers involved in the operation as “heroes and representatives of the honour of the motherland,” and mentioned plans for a monument in the capital to commemorate their “battle feats.” In a notable acknowledgment, Kim referenced the “tombstones of the fallen soldiers,” confirming that North Korean troops had been killed in combat, and emphasized the need to honor families of war veterans.
The Central Military Commission asserted that the military operations concluded victoriously against what it termed the “adventurous invasion” by Ukrainian authorities. Russian Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov praised the contributions of North Korean soldiers, acknowledging their significant role in defeating Ukrainian forces during these operations.
Following the confirmation of troop deployment, South Korea’s Ministry of Defense conveyed concerns, stating that such an action violates UN Security resolutions. Their spokesperson remarked that North Korea’s acknowledgment constituted an admission of its own criminal acts.
Experts suggested that the public disclosure of troop deployment was a premeditated decision collaborated on by North Korea and Russia. Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, indicated that both countries deemed the benefits of disclosing the information to outweigh potential damage to their international reputations. He noted that North Korea’s promise of state benefits for the deployed troops could mitigate any internal backlash and signified Pyongyang’s growing confidence.
Despite Russian claims of victory in Kursk, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asserted that Ukraine’s military continued fighting in the region. The Central Military Commission of North Korea regarded the operation as evidence of the “firm militant friendship between the DPRK and Russia.”
Looking ahead, speculation surrounded Kim Jong Un’s potential attendance at Russia’s Victory Day celebrations on May 9, which will mark 80 years since the defeat of Nazi Germany. While experts noted that the likelihood of Kim attending may be low, they did not entirely rule it out. The recapture of the Kursk region, they suggested, could offer a positive rationale for his presence at the celebrations, which are expected to feature a grand military parade and an address from President Vladimir Putin.
