The North Korean chief, Kim Jong-un, has praised his troops combating overseas as forging an “invincible alliance” with Russia in a brand new 12 months’s message, state media mentioned on Thursday.
Pyongyang has despatched 1000’s of troops to assist Russia’s practically four-year invasion of Ukraine, in response to South Korean and western intelligence businesses.
At the least 600 have died and 1000’s extra have sustained accidents, in response to South Korean estimates.
Analysts say North Korea is receiving monetary help, navy know-how and meals and power provides from Russia in return.
Kim praised his males combating in an “alien land”, congratulating their “heroic” defence of the nation’s honour and instructing them to “be courageous”, the state-run Korean Central Information Company (KCNA) mentioned.
“As the entire nation is enveloped in a festive ambiance of greeting the brand new 12 months, I all of the extra miss you, who’re combating bravely on the battlefields within the alien land even at this second,” he mentioned, in response to KCNA.
“Behind you’re Pyongyang and Moscow,” Kim mentioned.
The North Korean chief praised troopers for strengthening the “invincible alliance” with Russia, calling on them to combat “for the fraternal Russian individuals”.
And Kim hinted that extra abroad motion would happen this 12 months, highlighting “outstanding feats you’ll carry out on the abroad battlefields”.
Kim marked the brand new 12 months with a lavish celebration efficiency and speech at Pyongyang’s Might Day stadium, state media mentioned. Pictures shared by KCNA confirmed Kim accompanied by his spouse, Ri Sol Ju, and his daughter Ju Ae, believed to be his seemingly successor.
Analysts say that North Korea’s deepening alliance with Russia has provided an financial lifeline to Kim’s regime and allowed him to rebuff US and South Korean overtures for dialogue.
On-the-ground accounts, nevertheless, paint a grim image for North Korean troops embedded in Europe’s bloodiest struggle in a long time.
Pyongyang’s troopers have been ordered to kill themselves quite than be taken prisoner, in response to South Korea’s intelligence service and accounts by two North Koreans captured by Ukraine.
The 2 males, held captive by Kyiv since January 2025 after sustaining accidents on the battlefield, have expressed a need to defect to the South.
