N. Korea honors soldiers who aided Russia against Ukraine

This undated photo shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un embracing military members of the overseas operation unit at an artistic performance in Pyongyang.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has honored soldiers who went to Russia to fight in its conflict against Ukraine, awarding them the title of “hero” of the country in a ceremony held at the headquarters of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea, state-run media said Friday.

To mourn troops who died in the fighting, Kim laid a flower before a memorial wall and paid silent tribute. He also consoled bereaved families of the fallen soldiers, the official Korean Central News Agency said, without clarifying when the ceremony was held in Pyongyang.

Portraits of about 100 military personnel were put up in the memorial hall. Referring to their “outstanding valor and noble self-sacrificing spirit,” Kim called the troops deployed to Russia “the best heroes.”

Kim Yong Bok, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Korean People’s Army and commander of the unit dispatched to support Russia, said in his speech that “faithful soldiers” of Kim will “devotedly defend the authority” of the ruling party and “firmly safeguard” the honor of the country until “the day of returning home,” KCNA said.

An artistic performance and banquet were also held to praise the soldiers, with members of the bereaved family participating, the news agency said.

North Korea has been deploying thousands of troops to Russia to support its conflict with Ukraine since last October under a bilateral defense cooperation pact signed by Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin in June 2024. The treaty includes a provision for mutual assistance in the event either country comes under attack.