Putin Thanks North Korea For Sending Its Troops To Fight Ukraine

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean troops were praised by Russian President Vladimir Putin for their efforts in the Kursk region of Russia, where they fought against Ukrainian forces. The confirmation of the deployment came on Monday.

Putin, in a statement released by the Kremlin, commended the North Korean fighters for their bravery and dedication, noting that they stood side by side with Russian troops in defense of their homeland.

The Kursk region, which was seized by Ukrainian forces in a surprise attack last year, has now been fully reclaimed by Russian troops, despite Ukrainian officials denying this claim.

Reports from U.S., South Korean, and Ukrainian intelligence agencies indicated that North Korea had dispatched around 10,000-12,000 troops to Russia last fall, marking their first major involvement in armed conflict since the Korean War in the 1950s. However, North Korea had not officially acknowledged this deployment until this Monday.

Under a mutual defense treaty signed by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Putin in June 2024, the Central Military Commission of North Korea stated that the combat troops were sent to Russia to assist in the conflict. The treaty requires both countries to provide immediate military support in case of an attack.

Kim Jong Un emphasized that the deployment was intended to assist in removing the Ukrainian forces from Kursk and praised the soldiers for their heroism and dedication to their homeland.

The North Korean statement did not specify the exact number of troops sent or the casualties incurred. South Korea’s military reported that approximately 4,000 North Korean soldiers had been killed or wounded in the conflict.

The South Korean Unification Ministry urged North Korea to withdraw its troops from Russia immediately, denouncing their involvement as a violation of international security and a sacrifice of young soldiers for the government’s agenda.

During a meeting in the Kremlin, Russia’s Chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, informed Putin of the successful recapture of the Kursk region, with North Korean soldiers playing a significant role in the battle against Ukrainian troops.

Ukraine’s General Staff stated that their defensive operations in certain areas of Kursk were ongoing, despite Russia’s claims of victory in the region.

The victory in Kursk could potentially impact negotiations to end the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with the U.S. playing a role in brokering a potential ceasefire deal.

North Korea’s support for Russia in the conflict has raised concerns about the potential transfer of advanced weapons technology from Russia to North Korea, which could enhance its nuclear weapons program.