North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has met with the families of his soldiers killed fighting for Russia against Ukraine, offering condolences for their “unbearable pain” and promising the bereaved “a beautiful life”, state media reports.
The meeting was the second reported occasion that Kim met with families of fallen soldiers this month. Pyongyang has not confirmed the number of troops that were killed fighting for Russia, though Seoul estimates about 600, with thousands more wounded.
“I had this meeting arranged as I wanted to meet and console the bereaved families of all the heroes and relieve them of their sorrow and anguish even a little,” Kim said in his speech, according to KCNA.
Kim also pledged to build a monument in the capital, Pyongyang, as well as name a new street for the bereaved families, and the state will give full support to the children of deceased soldiers.
The North Korean leader said his “heart breaks and aches” for the children who lost fathers. “I, our state and our army will take full responsibility for them and train them admirably as staunch and courageous fighters like their fathers,” he added.
South Korean and Western intelligence agencies have said that Kim sent more than 10,000 soldiers to Russia in 2024 – primarily to the Kursk region – along with North Korean-produced artillery shells, missiles and long-range rocket systems.
At a ceremony with mourning family members and Ukraine war veterans last week, images released by KCNA showed an emotional Kim embracing a returned soldier who appeared overwhelmed, burying his face in the leader’s chest.
The leader was also seen kneeling before a portrait of a fallen soldier to pay his respects and placing medals and flowers beside images of dead troops.
Kim is due to stand alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping at a military parade in Beijing next week, marking the surrender of Japan in World War II.
Relations between Kim and Putin have surged significantly since they signed a military alliance in 2024. The two leaders have been strengthening their ties, with Putin lauding the “heroism” of North Koreans in liberating Kursk, while Pyongyang says the call between the two leaders came days ahead of US President Donald Trump’s summit with Putin in Alaska.
The situation in Ukraine continues to be a major concern for the international community, with the conflict showing no signs of abating.
The involvement of North Korean troops in the conflict has added a new layer of complexity to the situation, and it remains to be seen how the international community will respond to this development.
In recent months, North Korea has been strengthening its military ties with Russia, with the two countries signing a military alliance in 2024. The alliance has been seen as a significant development in the region, with potential implications for the balance of power in Asia.
The meeting between Kim and the families of fallen soldiers is a testament to the North Korean leader’s efforts to build support and loyalty among his military and the general population.
The promises made by Kim to the bereaved families, including the provision of support for the children of deceased soldiers, are likely to be seen as an attempt to bolster morale and loyalty among the military and the population.
As the situation in Ukraine continues to unfold, it is likely that North Korea’s involvement in the conflict will remain a major concern for the international community.
The country’s military alliance with Russia and its involvement in the conflict have significant implications for regional and global security, and it remains to be seen how the situation will develop in the coming months and years.