For the first time, North Korea has confirmed that he is sending troops to fight for Russia against Ukraine.
In a report on the KCNA State Information Agency, Pyongyang's military claims that his soldiers helped the Russian forces “release” the Kursk border region, according to an order given by leader Kim Jong Un.
Pyongyang's announcement comes just days after the Russian head of staff Valery Gerasimov praised the “heroism” of the North Korean troops, for the first time Moscow publicly acknowledged their participation.
Western officials told the BBC that they believed that at least 1,000 of the 11,000 soldiers sent from North Korea were killed in three months.
Gerasimov also claims that Moscow has regained full control over the Western Kursk region in the country – a claim abandoned by Ukraine.
In response to the statement, the United States said North Korea must now be responsible for perpetuating the war.
South Korean and Western Intelligence have long been reporting that Pyongyang sent thousands of troops to Kursk last yearS
The decision to deploy troops was in line with a mutual defense contract between Pyongyang and Moscow, KCNA said.
“Those who fought for justice are all the characters and representatives of the honor of the Motherland,” Kim said according to KCNA.
North Korea and Russia have demonstrated their “Union and Brotherhood” in Kursk, adding that a “friendship proven by blood” will greatly contribute to expanding the “in every way” relationship.
He added that North Korea would again support the Russian army.
KCNA did not say what would happen to the North Korean troops after their mission in Kursk ended and whether they could return home.
Reports that the North Korean soldiers were placed to fight for Russia for the first time in October after deepening bilateral connections between Kim and PutinS
This included the signing of an agreement, in which Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Kim agreed to support himself if each country was concerned with “aggression”.
Military experts said the North Korean troops, according to the “elite” unit called The Storm Corps, were unprepared for the realities of the modern war.
“These are barely trained troops led by Russian officers who do not understand,” said former tanks commander of the British army, Kohl Hamish Hamish de Breton-Garden, was earlier this year.
However, the best military commander of Ukraine, Gen. Alexander Syria, also warned that the North Korean soldiers were a significant problem for the Ukrainian fighters on the front line.
“They are numerous. An additional 11,000-12,000 highly motivated and well-trained soldiers who conduct offensive actions. They act on the basis of Soviet tactics. They rely on their number,” the general told Ukraine in TSN Tyzhden News.