North Korea Confirms Troop Deployment to Russia, Strengthens Strategic Alliance

North Korea confirmed its deployment of troops to Russia, emphasizing strategic partnership. The Central Military Commission states troops aided operations in Kursk against Ukraine. Kim Jong-un described them as representatives of national honor, and Russia affirmed regained control of Kursk region with their support.

North Korea has officially confirmed for the first time that it has sent troops to Russia, marking a notable development in its relationship with Moscow. On Monday, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that this deployment is framed as an extension of their strategic partnership. The Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party made this announcement via a written statement to state media the day before.

The statement suggests that the troop deployment aligns with the provisions of the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty between North Korea and Russia. The military commission described this move as a significant and loyal enactment of the treaty. Furthermore, North Korean forces participated in “operations for liberating the Kursk area,” which was characterized by the North as a successful intervention against Ukraine’s actions.

Notably, these military units operated under the direct orders of Kim Jong-un, who has analyzed that the battlefield conditions required invoking Article 4 of the partnership treaty. The statement added that Kim made the decision to deploy these forces based on this assessment and promptly notified Russian officials.

Moreover, Kim characterized the dispatched troops as “representatives of the nation’s honor,” promising that a monument will be built in Pyongyang to remember their military achievements. He further pledged that flowers would be laid on the graves of any fallen soldiers as a tribute from their homeland.

In a related announcement, Russia stated on Saturday that it had regained control of the Kursk border region, thanks in part to the support from North Korean forces, underlining the collaborative efforts between the two nations.

North Korea has for the first time officially acknowledged sending troops to Russia, framing it as an extension of their strategic partnership. The deployment is marked by North Korean military activities purportedly aimed at countering Ukraine’s incursions. Dictator Kim Jong-un regards these troops as national representatives and plans to honor them with a monument in Pyongyang. Meanwhile, Russia claims to have successfully regained control of the Kursk region with the assistance of North Korean forces.

Original Source: koreajoongangdaily.joins.com