North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un defended the country’s role in the Russia-Ukraine war, calling it a rightful act to support a “brother nation”, according to state media KCNA on Saturday.
“Our participation in the conflict was just, and it falls within the sovereign rights of our Republic,” Kim said, according to KCNA. “I consider all the brave soldiers who participated in the Kursk operation to be heroes and the highest representatives of the nation’s honour,” he added.
10,000 Troops
In April, Pyongyang officially confirmed, for the first time, that it had deployed troops to support Russia in the ongoing war in Ukraine, following direct orders from Kim.
As per reports, it had sent more than 10,000 troops and weapons to Russia as the countries’ military ties grew dramatically under a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed by Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin last year.
In return, Pyongyang appears to have received technical assistance on satellites, as well as drones and anti-aircraft missiles, South Korea has said.
North Korea claimed its forces played a role in recapturing Russian territory previously held by Ukrainian forces.
The victorious end of the battle to liberate Russia’s Kursk region showed the “highest strategic level of the firm militant friendship” between North Korea and Russia, KCNA reported, citing the North’s ruling party.
Kim Warns US
Kim also said Pyongyang would not hesitate to authorise the use of military force if the United States persists in what he called military provocations against Russia.
Meanwhile, Kim Jong Un, accompanied by his daughter, made a rare visit to the Russian embassy in Pyongyang on Friday to celebrate Russia‘s Victory Day, commemorating the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany in World War II, according to state media.
Kim said North Korea will “consolidate and develop the long tradition of the DPRK-Russia relations, the noble ideological foundation and the invincible alliance”, KCNA reported.
(With inputs from Reuters)
