Kim Jong-un Confirms North Korean Troops Cleared Mines for Russia

According to Rokna, citing The Guardian, the rare public recognition of the hazardous duties assigned to North Korean soldiers was reported by state media on Saturday. According to South Korean and Western intelligence agencies, Pyongyang has sent thousands of troops to support Russia’s nearly four-year invasion of Ukraine. Analysts note that Russia has provided North Korea with financial aid, military technology, food, and energy supplies in exchange, enabling the isolated nation to circumvent strict international sanctions on its nuclear and missile programs.

During the welcome ceremony, Kim praised the engineering regiment, highlighting that they wrote “letters to their hometowns and villages during breaks from mine-clearing operations,” according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). He stated that nine soldiers from the regiment had died during the 120-day deployment that began in August. The deceased were awarded state honors to “add eternal lustre” to their courage.

“All of you, both officers and soldiers, displayed collective heroism in overcoming unimaginable mental and physical burdens almost every day,” Kim said. He added that the troops had achieved “a miracle by converting a vast danger zone into a secure and safe area in less than three months.”

Images released by KCNA showed a smiling Kim embracing returning soldiers, some of whom appeared injured or in wheelchairs. One soldier seemed visibly emotional as Kim held his head and hand while seated in a wheelchair wearing a military uniform. Other photographs depicted Kim consoling the families of the deceased and kneeling before a portrait of a fallen soldier, placing what appeared to be medals and flowers beside the images of the dead. Kim also reflected on “the pain of waiting for 120 days, during which he never forgot his beloved sons for a single moment.”

In September, Kim appeared alongside China’s leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at an elaborate military parade in Beijing. He did not respond to an offer from former U.S. President Donald Trump to meet during Trump’s Asia trip in October.

North Korea only confirmed in April that it had sent troops to support Russia and that some soldiers had been killed in combat. During a previous ceremony in August, KCNA released images showing an emotional Kim embracing a returned soldier who appeared overwhelmed, burying his face in the leader’s chest. Earlier, in July, state media showed a visibly emotional Kim honoring flag-draped coffins, believed to belong to deceased soldiers returning home.