For the first time since the Korean War (1950–1953), North Korea has participated in an armed conflict by sending troops to Russia amid the ongoing Ukraine war.
After months of silence, North Korea officially confirmed on Monday that it deployed troops to assist Russia in recapturing the Kursk region last year.
Previously, intelligence agencies from the United States, South Korea, and Ukraine had reported that North Korea sent around 10,000 to 12,000 soldiers to Russia before the onset of winter. However, North Korea had not publicly acknowledged it until now.
Two days earlier, Russia announced it had regained control over the Kursk region. Following that announcement, North Korea confirmed its involvement.
In an official statement released by state media, the North Korean Military Commission said that troops were sent under a military agreement signed between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2024. Under this agreement, both countries committed to providing military assistance if either was attacked — marking it as the largest military pact between them since the Cold War.
The statement said, “North Korean troops assisted Russia to liberate the Kursk region by repelling Ukrainian aggressors.” Kim Jong Un described those who fought for justice and national honor as “heroes” and announced that a monument would be built in Pyongyang to honor the fallen soldiers. Support would also be extended to the families of the deceased.
While North Korea did not disclose the exact number of troops deployed or casualties suffered, South Korea’s military reported in March that around 4,000 North Korean soldiers had died in Russia. Following these losses, an additional 3,000 troops were reportedly sent.
Military experts suggest that despite being well-trained and disciplined, North Korean troops suffered heavy casualties due to a lack of experience and unfamiliarity with the battlefield environment.