North Korea has officially confirmed that it sent troops to support Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine. According to a report by state-run news agency KCNA, Pyongyang’s military stated that its forces helped Russian troops “completely liberate” the Kursk border region under an order from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
This confirmation comes shortly after Russian Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov publicly praised the “heroism” of North Korean soldiers for the first time, acknowledging their involvement in the conflict. Western officials had earlier estimated that at least 1,000 of the 11,000 North Korean soldiers deployed to Ukraine had been killed over a span of three months.
The deployment was made under a mutual defense treaty between Moscow and Pyongyang, with North Korean authorities hailing the soldiers as “heroes” and vowing that their bloodshed has strengthened the “alliance and brotherhood” between the two nations. KCNA emphasized that this proven “friendship” would further deepen their cooperation across multiple areas.
The United States has condemned North Korea’s involvement, stating that Pyongyang must bear responsibility for exacerbating the war. Ukraine has denied Russia’s claims of fully regaining control over Kursk, suggesting the situation remains highly contested.
South Korean and Western intelligence had previously reported the presence of thousands of North Korean troops in Kursk, many drawn from the so-called “elite” Storm Corps unit. However, military experts argue that these troops are ill-prepared for modern warfare, lacking proper training and facing language barriers with their Russian commanders.
Despite these challenges, Ukraine’s top general, Oleksandr Syrskyi, warned that the North Korean presence is having a significant impact. He described them as “highly motivated and numerous,” with their reliance on Soviet-style mass assault tactics creating additional strain on Ukrainian defenses.
The KCNA report did not specify the future of the North Korean soldiers after their deployment in Kursk ends, leaving open questions about their return home or further redeployments. The situation marks a significant escalation in North Korea’s direct involvement in the Ukraine conflict, further complicating international efforts to broker peace.
