First Public Footage: North Korea Reveals Its Soldiers Who Died in Ukraine War
In an unprecedented development, North Korea has officially disclosed images of its military personnel reported to have died during the conflict in Ukraine. Recent broadcasts on the country’s state-controlled television showcased somber scenes where leader Kim Jong Un mourns and pays tribute to compatriots who sacrificed their lives fighting alongside Russia against Ukraine. These images mark the first official acknowledgment that North Korean soldiers are participating in combat operations in Ukraine and have suffered casualties. According to footage released by Pyongyang's Central Television, the ceremony involved the solemn reburial of the fallen, with Kim Jong Un prominently raising the North Korean flag over coffins symbolizing loss and mourning. Furthermore, in celebration of the first anniversary of the signing of a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between North Korea and Russia, a large-scale event was held, attended by Kim Jong Un and Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova. Performers staged shows against backdrops depicting North Korean and Russian soldiers in combat zones, alongside occupying forces bearing the flags of both nations. Notably, North Korea confirmed that Kim Jong Un authorized operational plans for North Korean troops in the Kursk region and ordered attacks to be carried out between October 22, 2024, and December 22, 2024. This marks the first occasion when North Korean state media publicly displayed photographs of soldiers dispatched to Russia for military operations.