North Korea Publicly Acknowledges Troops Killed Fighting in Ukraine

North Korea has publicly acknowledged for the first time that its soldiers have been killed fighting alongside Russian forces in the war against Ukraine. During a joint cultural event in Pyongyang marking the first anniversary of a military treaty between North Korea and Russia, leader Kim Jong-un was shown paying tribute to repatriated coffins of fallen soldiers, with images of troops on the battlefield near Kursk and a blood-stained notebook recovered from the frontlines displayed. The North Korean government appears to be framing the deployment not only as a sacrifice but as part of a victory narrative, with Kim approving operational plans and ordering attacks in the Kursk region in late 2024. Around 10,000 North Korean troops are reported to have been sent to support Russia, with some casualties confirmed, and additional troops may be deployed. The event highlighted the close military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow, while North Korea continues to supply weapons to Russia. This marks a shift from previous denials, as the regime now openly commemorates the soldiers' participation and losses in the conflict.