SEOUL: North Korea has confirmed that its troops were sent to Clear Mines in Russia, marking a rare public admission by its leadership. The statement came from leader Kim Jong Un during a speech carried by state media on Saturday.
According to Kim, North Korean soldiers were deployed to Russia’s Kursk region earlier this year. Their task was to remove landmines from dangerous areas. This mission lasted about 120 days and began in August.
This is one of the clearest acknowledgements that North Korean forces helped Clear Mines in Russia. Such admissions are uncommon for Pyongyang, especially when related to overseas military activity.
South Korean and Western intelligence agencies say North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support Russia. Moscow is nearing four years in its invasion of Ukraine. Analysts believe Russia is offering financial aid, food, energy, and military technology in return. This support helps North Korea ease the pressure of international sanctions.
Kim spoke at a welcome ceremony held in Pyongyang on Friday. He praised an engineering regiment that had returned from the mission. State media reported that the soldiers wrote letters to their families during short breaks from mine-clearing work.
Kim said nine members of the regiment died during the deployment. He awarded them state honours after their deaths. He described their actions as brave and selfless.
The North Korean leader said the troops faced extreme physical and mental stress. He added that they worked almost every day under dangerous conditions. Despite this, Kim said the soldiers managed to turn a hazardous zone into a safe area in less than three months.
Images released by state media showed Kim greeting the returning soldiers. Some appeared injured and were seen in wheelchairs. One image showed Kim holding the hand of a visibly emotional soldier.
Other photos showed Kim comforting families of the deceased. He was also seen kneeling before portraits of fallen soldiers. Medals and flowers were placed beside the images.
Kim said he never forgot the soldiers during the 120-day mission. He spoke of the pain of waiting for their return.
North Korea only officially confirmed troop deployment in April. At that time, it admitted that some soldiers had been killed in combat. Earlier ceremonies also showed Kim honoring fallen troops.
In other news read more about: Venezuela’s Nobel laureate Machado Says She Aims for Peaceful Transition After Maduro
The latest statement further confirms North Korea’s role in helping Russia, including efforts to Clear Mines in Russia, despite global concern over the growing military cooperation between the two countries.
