North Korea Ukraine soldiers honored by Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang

North Korea Ukraine soldiers of the 528th Regiment honored by Kim Jong Un for bravery and sacrifices during their deployment in Russia’s Kursk region.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently held a public ceremony in Pyongyang to honor soldiers of the Korean People’s Army who participated in Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The event highlighted the bravery, sacrifices, and contributions of the 528th Engineering Regiment, which returned from a deployment in Russia’s Kursk region.

Kim Praises Soldiers’ Heroism

During the ceremony, Kim Jong Un embraced injured soldiers, some in wheelchairs, and applauded their extraordinary efforts during the 120-day deployment. The regiment carried out critical tasks, including combat operations and mine-clearing duties, in areas heavily affected by the conflict.

Kim described the regiment’s achievements as “miraculous,” stating that what normally would have taken years to accomplish was completed in just a few months. He added that Western military forces could not match the dedication and spirit of North Korea’s troops.

Honoring the Fallen

The ceremony also acknowledged the loss of nine soldiers from the regiment. To honor their sacrifice, the unit was awarded the Order of Freedom and Independence, and the fallen soldiers were posthumously given the title Hero of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the country’s highest military honor.

North Korea’s Role in the Ukraine Conflict

According to state media, an estimated 14,000 North Korean soldiers were deployed to support Russian forces under a mutual defense agreement. These troops played a key role in defending Russian positions and clearing mines in the contested Kursk region. Reports suggest that casualties and injuries among North Korean troops ranged between 3,000 and 4,000 soldiers.

The Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed that North Korean soldiers were actively engaged in engineering and frontline support operations, demonstrating the strategic value of their deployment.

Previous Public Ceremonies

This welcoming ceremony follows several earlier events where Kim Jong Un publicly recognized North Korean soldiers serving in Russia. In June, state media showed him overseeing the return of soldiers’ remains from Russia, while in October, he attended a groundbreaking ceremony for a memorial dedicated to those who fought abroad.

Kim Jong Un’s Message to the World

At the conclusion of a Workers’ Party of Korea meeting, Kim emphasized that the deployment of North Korean troops to support Russia reflected the army’s prestige and position as the “ever-victorious army” and a “protector of international justice.”