Kim Jong Un has met the families of soldiers killed fighting for Russia against Ukraine, expressing his deep condolences, North Korean state media reports. In a special ceremony held on Friday, the North Korean leader was seen comforting bereaved families and presenting them portraits of their dead loved ones wrapped in the nation's flag.
South Korea believes that the North has sent around 15,000 troops to aid Russia in its invasion, receiving in exchange food, monetary support, and technical assistance. North Korea only publicly acknowledged its military involvement in the conflict in April, revealing that some of its soldiers had been killed.
Reports suggest that at least 1,000 soldiers sent from North Korea may have died within a span of three months, although more recent estimates indicate a death toll closer to 600. During the recent ceremony, Kim expressed sorrow over not being able to bring the soldiers back alive, announcing plans to erect a monument in their honor and take care of their children.
Kim stated, I thought a lot about other martyrs' families who were not present [at the previous ceremony]... So, I wanted to meet and console the bereaved families of all the heroes and alleviate their sorrow and anguish even a little. The meeting occurs as Kim prepares for a scheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin next week in China, marking their third encounter in two years, amidst deepening cooperation between the two nations.
Last October, Kim expressed his camaraderie with Putin on the occasion of the Russian leader's birthday, while a military pact between Russia and North Korea was introduced, promising mutual support against any form of aggression.
While North Korea maintains a substantial army of approximately 1.28 million active soldiers, this deployment to Ukraine marks a significant move as it reflects an ongoing international military engagement.
