North Korea Acknowledges Troop Deployment to Russia First Time
Apr 28
1 min read
News Summary
North Korea officially confirmed for the first time that it deployed troops to support Russia's war in Ukraine, following a mutual defense treaty signed by Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin last year.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that North Korean forces participated in combat operations in the Kursk region, acting under Kim's direct orders.
Kim described the deployment as a "sacred mission" to strengthen ties with Russia and acknowledged the deaths of North Korean soldiers by announcing plans to erect a monument in Pyongyang.
The regime claimed the deployment fully complies with international law and reflects their commitment to the bilateral treaty.
Commentary
The Kim regime’s rare admission of troop deployments to Russia is not a sign of confidence, but of mounting internal crisis.
Despite desperate attempts to block the news, frustration and anger have spread uncontrollably across North Korean society, especially among families with loved ones in the military.
Unable to suppress the growing outrage, the regime has been forced to acknowledge reality and scramble to justify it under the banner of “solidarity” with Russia.
Kim Jong Un’s plan to erect a monument for fallen soldiers only exposes the regime’s vulnerability—it confirms that casualties are too widespread to ignore.
This attempt to reframe the sacrifice of thousands of young soldiers as heroism will deceive few. Far from easing public fury, the regime’s hypocrisy and manipulation will only deepen resentment—and hasten the internal instability it has struggled to suppress.
