North Korean leader honors fellow countrymen and their families in Russia
The North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met the families of fallen North Korean soldiers who fought for Russia in the war against Ukraine. At the meeting he praised the killed men for their heroism, writes the North Korean state news agency KCNA.
Kim received the relatives at a festive gathering in the capital Pyongyang. There he called the soldiers martyrs and praised their parents, women and children. The heroic deeds were possible thanks to their family members who are “the most detaining, patriotic and just people in the world,” said the North Korean leader. The state television showed Kim that deep arc for the families.
‘Beautiful life’
Kim also said he would take care of the relatives. He promised them “a beautiful life”. For example, the children of the fallen soldiers are sent to elite schools where they receive a military education. He gave the families a photo frame with the photo of their killed son or husband, wrapped in the North Korean flag.
Last April, North Korea acknowledged that the soldiers sent to Russia for the fight against Ukraine. The North Koreans fought in the Russian region of Koersk, among others, on the border with Ukraine. The Ukrainian army invaded that region in August last year.
15,000 North Koreans
Neither nor North Korea nor Russia has announced figures about the number of North Korean soldiers who fight on the Russian side. It is also not known how many North Koreans were killed.
According to South Korean intelligence services, 15,000 North Koreans were sent to Russia and about 600 people were killed. Western intelligence services estimate that more than 6000 soldiers from North Korea have died.
The North Korean state television also broadcast a 25-minute documentary about the battle in Russia in addition to the homage of family members. There were images of North Koreans who reportedly participated in “Operation Koersk Liberation”, to expel Ukrainian troops from the Russian region. It is not clear whether they are authentic images, they are not independently verified.
‘Training mission’
The North Korean regime has a lot to win when sending troops to Russia. For example, soldiers can gain combat experience, test North Korean weapon systems and gain access to Russian military systems.
Despite the warm words about the heroism of the North Korean soldiers, the question is whether the casualties knew at all that they would end up in a war. Ukraine shared in January a video from someone who was a North Koreans Krijgsgegangen. The alleged North Korean claimed that the soldiers had been told in advance that they would go on a training mission.