North Korea unveils memorial for troops killed in Ukraine war

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov have inaugurated a memorial in Pyongyang honoring North Korean soldiers who died while fighting in the war in Ukraine, the BBC reported.

The ceremony featured military aircraft flying overhead and the release of white balloons, as the two officials unveiled a statue and opened a museum dedicated to overseas military operations. During the ceremony, Kim stated that North Korea would always support Russia’s efforts to defend sovereignty and territorial integrity.

While North Korea has not disclosed the number of its troops involved in the conflict, South Korean intelligence estimates that at least 15,000 personnel have been deployed. North Korean troops have supported Russian efforts to regain territory in the Kursk region. Seoul also believes that around 2,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed.

In exchange for its support, North Korea is believed to have received food, financial assistance and technical support from Russia.

Relations between Moscow and Pyongyang have strengthened since the start of the war in Ukraine. In June 2024, the two countries signed an agreement pledging mutual assistance in the event of aggression.

Another close ally of North Korea is Belarus. The two countries have signed a «friendship and cooperation» treaty, strengthening bilateral relations. The agreement was highlighted during Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s visit to North Korea in late March.