Kim Jong-un admits North Korea sending troops to clear mines for Russia
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has publicly acknowledged that his country sent troops to Russia to clear landmines, a rare admission detailing dangerous assignments undertaken by deployed soldiers. Speaking at a welcome ceremony in Pyongyang for an engineering regiment returning from Ukraine, Kim praised his soldiers for transforming a “vast area of danger zone into a safe and secure one” in under three months.
The deployment, which began in August and lasted 120 days, tragically resulted in the deaths of nine members of the regiment. Kim announced that the deceased soldiers would be posthumously awarded state honors to commemorate their bravery. He described the troops’ efforts as displaying “mass heroism” while enduring significant mental and physical challenges.
The ceremony, held on Friday, saw Kim embracing returned soldiers, some of whom appeared to be injured and in wheelchairs. State media released images of Kim consoling families of the fallen and paying his respects to a portrait of a deceased soldier by placing medals and flowers beside it. He also spoke of the families’ “pain of waiting” for their loved ones.
This admission comes amidst intelligence reports from South Korea and Western agencies suggesting North Korea has dispatched thousands of troops to support Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Analysts believe Russia is providing North Korea with financial aid, military technology, food, and energy supplies in return, helping Pyongyang circumvent international sanctions imposed on its nuclear and missile programs.
North Korea had previously confirmed in April that it had deployed troops to support Russia and that soldiers had died in combat. Earlier acknowledgements from state media in July showed Kim honoring flag-draped coffins of returning soldiers, and in August, images depicted him embracing an emotional returning soldier. Kim’s public appearances in September included attending a military parade in Beijing alongside Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
– Sarah Jenkins (Jenkins.S@theseouljournal.com)
