TAIPIEI, TAIWAN – North Korea recognized on Monday for the first time it deployed troops in Russia to support the Moscow War against Ukraine, saying that its soldiers “completely released the occupied region of the Kursk region”.
Ukraine estimates that up to 14,000 North Korean soldiers, including 3,000 reinforcements to replace its losses, are in Russia to fight against the Ukrainian forces which occupied parts of the Kursk of Russia in a counter-offensive in August.
“The liberation operations of the Kursk region to repel the adventurous invasion of the Russian Federation by the Ukrainian authorities were victoriously concluded,” the Central Central Central Agency in the North, or KCNA, cited, citing the country’s central military commission.
The deployment of the north was made by the “order” of the North Korean leader Kim Jong, in accordance with the Pyongyang mutual defense treaty with Moscow, KCNA said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea for interviews with Kim in June of last year when they announced the treaty, agreeing to offer each other military assistance “without delay” if one or the other was attacked. They also underlined their common challenge for Western sanctions and extended cooperation in various sectors.
KCNA cited Kim as describing activities as “a sacred mission to consolidate more” friendship and solidarity with Russia and “defend the honor” of North Korea.
A monument praising their heroism and their bravery will soon be erected in Pyongyang and flowers will be placed in front of the tombstones of soldiers who have broken down for their immortality, said Kim, recognizing the troops killed in combat.
Confirmation by the north of the deployment of troops occurred after Russia recognized that North Korean soldiers were fighting in its war with Ukraine.
Valery Gerasimov, chief of staff general of the Russian armed forces, confirmed his participation in combat during a videoconference with Putin on Saturday, recognizing the crucial role they played in the “liberation” of the Kursk region.
In response, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that the Ukraine army was still fighting in the Kursk of Russia despite Moscow affirming the “liberation” of its Western region.
“Our soldiers continue to carry out tasks in the Kursk and Belgorod regions-we maintain our presence on Russian territory,” he said.
The US State Department has also called for North Korea to stop its deployment of troops and that Moscow ends any support for Pyongyang.
“The deployment of North Korean soldiers to Russia must end. Third countries like North Korea are responsible for the war,” the State Department said in a statement.
During his first mandate, US President Donald Trump met Kim three times, but has made no progress by persuading him to give up his nuclear and missile programs in exchange for sanctions relief.
Since the start of his second term, he has expressed interest in restoring contacts with Kim, although no development seems imminent.
US online publication Axios On Sunday, the Trump administration had discreetly held discussions and consulted external experts, because it considers the potentially dialogue recovery options with the North.
Axios Cited an senior American official without name saying that the American agencies assess the current position of North Korea and exploring the potential avenues for engagement.
Edited by Mike Firn and Stephen Wright.