North Korea Confirms Sending Troops To Support Russia In Ukraine War

North Korea Confirms Sending Troops to Fight Alongside Russia in Ukraine

For the first time, North Korea confirmed on Monday that it has sent troops to support Russian forces in Ukraine. North Korea’s military described their role as a “sacred mission” aimed at strengthening ties between Pyongyang and Moscow.

The state-run KCNA news agency reported that North Korean soldiers helped Russian forces “completely liberate” the Kursk border region, following an order from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

This confirmation came shortly after Russia’s Chief of Staff, Valery Gerasimov, praised the North Korean troops during a video call with President Vladimir Putin on April 26. Putin also claimed that Russian forces had regained full control of Kursk — an area Ukraine had attacked last year — although Ukraine disputes this.

North Korea’s admission follows months of reports from the US, South Korea, the UK, and Ukraine about sightings of North Korean soldiers on the battlefield. North Korea said that Kim Jong Un viewed the mission as a way to strengthen the traditional friendship with Russia, promote prosperity, and protect the nation’s honor.

In June 2024, Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin signed the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, agreeing to provide military support to each other in times of war. KCNA added that Kim called the participating soldiers heroes and announced that a monument will be built in Pyongyang to honor them. Flowers will also be laid at the graves of those killed in action.

Meanwhile, the US State Department strongly criticized North Korea and other “third countries” for helping Russia in its war against Ukraine, calling for an end to the conflict and for Russia to stop supporting Pyongyang.

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