North Korea officially confirms participation of its military in Russia's war against Ukraine

DPRK troops. Photo: KCNA via REUTERS

For the first time, North Korea has officially confirmed the participation of its military in Russia's war against Ukraine, in particular on the Kursk direction.

This was reported by the state news agency KCNA.

The Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party expressed gratitude to the DPRK units for «heroic deeds» in the fight against «encroachments on the sovereignty of» Ukraine. The commission also stated that the Kursk region had allegedly been completely «liberated».

DPRK leader Kim Jong-un, referring to the strategic partnership agreement with Russia, ordered to send troops to participate in combat operations alongside Russian forces. He also announced the construction of a monument in Pyongyang that will «praise the heroism of the» military, as well as honour the fallen soldiers.

The KCNA report calls Ukraine «the vanguard of imperialist powers» and accuses it of destroying residential areas and killing civilians. This is also the first official confirmation of casualties among the North Korean military.

As a reminder, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov reported to Vladimir Putin on the complete liberation of the Kursk region.

As you know, 8,000 North Korean troops were fighting in the Kursk sector. In addition, in 2024, North Korea sent thousands of workers to Russia despite a UN Security Council resolution that does not allow it. The DPRK citizens were sent to construction sites because Russia lacks manpower, as the men are fighting against Ukraine.

On 12 March, it became known that Russian troops had entered the town of Sudzha in the Kursk region. ISW analysts, referring to geolocation footage from Russian Telegram channels, noted that in recent days, Russian troops have been advancing in the area and taking control of a number of settlements.