In a rare and emotionally charged display, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was seen tearfully mourning the deaths of North Korean soldiers killed while fighting in Russia’s war against Ukraine. The footage, broadcast Sunday by the state-run Korean Central Television (KCTV), showed Kim kneeling solemnly before a flag-draped coffin and laying the North Korean national flag on the casket, as the country marked the first anniversary of its strategic military alliance with Russia.
The somber event, held in Pyongyang, was attended by high-ranking North Korean officials and a Russian delegation led by Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova. The ceremony featured a memorial tribute to the North Korean troops who had been deployed to the frontlines in Ukraine’s Kursk region, reportedly as part of joint operations with Russian forces.
600 North Korean Soldiers Reportedly Killed in Action
According to South Korean lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun, citing intelligence from Seoul’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), approximately 600 North Korean troops have been killed and thousands more wounded while supporting Russian military operations in Ukraine. The casualties stem from what appears to be a significant and previously covert deployment of North Korean forces in support of the Kremlin’s efforts to seize control of eastern Ukrainian territories.
The South Korean lawmaker also claimed Pyongyang is preparing to send additional troops to Russia, potentially as early as this month. However, South Korea’s defense ministry stated on Tuesday that it currently sees “no signs” of immediate North Korean troop deployments, noting that the North is currently focused on its summer training schedule and mid-year military exercises.
Footage Shows Battlefield Scenes, Emotional Tribute
State media aired dramatic footage of North Korean soldiers in combat, captioned with patriotic messages such as “Oh, our heroes, shining stars of my homeland,” and “Those who gave their lives without hesitation to defend honour shine like radiant stars.” Attendees at the memorial — both North Korean and Russian — were shown openly weeping during the ceremony.
A particularly striking image displayed during the broadcast was a photograph of what was described as a handwritten document by Kim Jong Un, in which he allegedly “approved operational plans for the liberation of Kursk and issued attack orders to special operations units” in late 2024. If authentic, this would suggest direct strategic involvement by Kim in battlefield planning.
North Korea’s Rare Admission of Combat Deaths Abroad
Sunday’s event marked the first large-scale public acknowledgment by North Korea of its military involvement in Russia’s war on Ukraine. While Pyongyang had confirmed in April 2025 that it had sent troops to assist Moscow, the regime had previously been vague about the extent of its participation and combat losses.
This newfound openness signals a shift in North Korean propaganda, potentially aiming to galvanize public support for the country’s deepening alliance with Russia. It also underscores the seriousness of the North’s military commitment to the Kremlin’s cause, despite potential international repercussions.
Treaty and Strategic Alliance with Russia
The memorial event coincided with the one-year anniversary of the DPRK-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty signed in 2024. The agreement includes a mutual defense clause, raising alarm among Western analysts about an emerging military axis between the two authoritarian states.
The pact has facilitated arms shipments from North Korea to Russia, including containers of artillery shells and rockets, as well as direct troop deployments, according to Western intelligence sources. These developments have further strained the already fragile geopolitical landscape in Eastern Europe and Northeast Asia.
Ju Ae Appears at Ceremony Amid Succession Speculation
Accompanying Kim at the event was his teenage daughter, Ju Ae, who has made frequent public appearances in recent months. Her presence at high-level events has fueled speculation among analysts that she is being groomed as Kim’s successor. Her inclusion in a military-focused tribute of this magnitude suggests her role may extend beyond ceremonial appearances.
International Reactions and Ongoing Uncertainty
The public mourning of foreign combat deaths by a North Korean leader is unprecedented in modern history and is likely to intensify scrutiny of the Pyongyang-Moscow alliance. It also raises pressing questions about the extent of coordination between the two countries, especially as Russia continues its prolonged and brutal war in Ukraine.
While South Korean officials remain cautious about predicting further North Korean deployments, the scale of Kim’s tribute suggests a continued and possibly expanding military commitment to Russia’s war effort — a development that could have serious ramifications for regional and global security.
