North Korea’s Kim thanks troops on overseas operations on founding anniversary
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un extended special gratitude to soldiers overseas at the 78th anniversary of the country’s founding.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un praised troops on overseas military operations during the country's 78th founding anniversary, showing special gratitude to those likely fighting in Ukraine.
- North Korea has deployed an estimated 14,000 to 15,000 soldiers to support Russia since late 2024.
- Pyongyang continues preparing more troop deployments and receives economic and military technology aid from Russia in exchange, though no immediate deployment is expected soon.
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SEOUL – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un used celebrations marking the 78th anniversary of the country’s founding to praise troops engaged in “overseas military operations”, Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
In a speech at Pyongyang’s assembly hall on Sept 9, Kim thanked workers and soldiers for their contributions to the state and extended what KCNA called special gratitude and respect to commanders and soldiers “participating in overseas military operations”, likely referring to North Korean troops deployed for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
North Korea has sent an estimated 14,000 to 15,000 troops to fight alongside Russian forces since late 2024, according to Western and South Korean officials. In February, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service estimated that around 6,000 North Korean soldiers had been killed or wounded.
Pyongyang was continuing preparations for an additional troop deployment to Russia, but there were no signs such a deployment was imminent, according to South Korea’s Defence Ministry in late August.
In return for sending troops and munitions, Pyongyang has received economic and military technology assistance from Russia, according to South Korean intelligence assessments. REUTERS
