North Korea confirms for the first time to send troops to war in Russia
Apr 28, 2025
Pyongyang [North Korea], April 28: KCNA news agency reported on April 28 that North Korean soldiers have helped Russia regain territory controlled by Ukraine in Russia's Kursk province.
In a statement published by KCNA, North Korea's Central Military Commission said "units of our armed forces" had "participated in activities to liberate the Kursk region on the orders of the head of state of the DPRK."
According to the statement, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's decision to deploy troops is in line with the joint defense treaty between the two countries. "Those who fight for justice are heroes and represent the honor of their homeland," KCNA quoted Kim as saying.
The new statement from North Korea's Central Military Commission marks the first time Pyongyang has confirmed the deployment of troops to Russia, according to AFP.
On April 26, Russian Army Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov also confirmed this for the first time, saying that North Korean military personnel had significantly assisted in repelling Ukrainian forces from Kursk. "I would like to mention in particular the participation of DPRK servicemen in the spirit of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, which has significantly assisted us in defeating Ukrainian forces," TASS news agency quoted Gerasimov as saying.
Neither Moscow nor Pyongyang have generally confirmed or denied the presence of North Korean military personnel in Kursk, while Ukraine and the West have mentioned that more than 10,000 North Korean troops have come to Russia to support Moscow.
While Moscow claims to have "liberated" the area controlled by Ukrainian forces in Kursk, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on April 27 that Ukrainian troops are still fighting in Kursk, according to AFP.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
