North Korea Opens Memorial Museum for Troops Killed in Russia-Ukraine War
North Korea and Russia pledge greater cooperation as memorial museum is inaugurated in Pyongyang.
SEOUL: North Korea has opened a memorial museum dedicated to its soldiers killed while fighting for Russia against Ukraine.
The inaugural ceremony took place in Pyongyang on Sunday, marking the one-year anniversary of the end of an operation to liberate the Kursk region from Ukrainian forces.
Leader Kim Jong Un attended the ceremony alongside top Russian officials, including Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of the State Duma, and Defense Minister Andrei Beloussov.
According to North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim Jong Un paid his respects by throwing dirt over the remains of one dead soldier and laying flowers before others whose bodies were already placed in a mortuary.
He and the Russian officials also left messages in the guest book.
In his speech, Kim emphasized that the spirits of these soldiers represent the heroism of the Korean people and support the victorious march of both Korean and Russian forces.
Kim praised their efforts in thwarting what he called a U.S.-led Western hegemonic plot and military adventurism on the Russian-Ukraine front.
In a separate meeting with Beloussov, Kim reaffirmed North Korea's full support for Russia's policy of defending its sovereignty and security interests.
The Russian news agency Tass reported that Beloussov stated Russia's readiness to sign a Russian-North Korean military cooperation plan for the 2027-2031 period.
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a letter to Kim, which was read by Volodin during the ceremony.
In it, Putin expressed his belief that the memorial museum would serve as a symbol of friendship and solidarity between the two countries.
He also stated his conviction that their comprehensive strategic partnership would continue to strengthen.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Kim Jong Un has prioritized Moscow in North Korea's foreign policy by supplying troops and conventional weapons.
In return, it is believed that North Korea has received economic assistance from Russia.
South Korea, the United States, and their partners are concerned that Russia may transfer high-tech technologies to North Korea, potentially enhancing its nuclear and missile programs.
Experts note that the North Korean troops sent to the war have become easy targets for drone and artillery attacks due to their lack of combat experience and unfamiliarity with the terrain.
However, Ukrainian military and intelligence officials assess that the North Koreans are gaining crucial battlefield experience and play a key role in Russia's strategy of overwhelming Ukraine by deploying large numbers of soldiers.
The inaugural ceremony took place in Pyongyang on Sunday, marking the one-year anniversary of the end of an operation to liberate the Kursk region from Ukrainian forces.
Leader Kim Jong Un attended the ceremony alongside top Russian officials, including Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of the State Duma, and Defense Minister Andrei Beloussov.
According to North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim Jong Un paid his respects by throwing dirt over the remains of one dead soldier and laying flowers before others whose bodies were already placed in a mortuary.
He and the Russian officials also left messages in the guest book.
In his speech, Kim emphasized that the spirits of these soldiers represent the heroism of the Korean people and support the victorious march of both Korean and Russian forces.
Kim praised their efforts in thwarting what he called a U.S.-led Western hegemonic plot and military adventurism on the Russian-Ukraine front.
In a separate meeting with Beloussov, Kim reaffirmed North Korea's full support for Russia's policy of defending its sovereignty and security interests.
The Russian news agency Tass reported that Beloussov stated Russia's readiness to sign a Russian-North Korean military cooperation plan for the 2027-2031 period.
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a letter to Kim, which was read by Volodin during the ceremony.
In it, Putin expressed his belief that the memorial museum would serve as a symbol of friendship and solidarity between the two countries.
He also stated his conviction that their comprehensive strategic partnership would continue to strengthen.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Kim Jong Un has prioritized Moscow in North Korea's foreign policy by supplying troops and conventional weapons.
In return, it is believed that North Korea has received economic assistance from Russia.
South Korea, the United States, and their partners are concerned that Russia may transfer high-tech technologies to North Korea, potentially enhancing its nuclear and missile programs.
Experts note that the North Korean troops sent to the war have become easy targets for drone and artillery attacks due to their lack of combat experience and unfamiliarity with the terrain.
However, Ukrainian military and intelligence officials assess that the North Koreans are gaining crucial battlefield experience and play a key role in Russia's strategy of overwhelming Ukraine by deploying large numbers of soldiers.
