North Korean Central Television (KCTV) on 30/6 broadcast footage from an event in Pyongyang on 29/6, showing leader Kim Jong-un placing the national flag on the caskets of North Korean soldiers killed in Russia.
Kim attended the repatriation ceremony for the remains of North Korean soldiers deployed to and killed in Russia. Another photo shows the North Korean leader with both hands on a casket, lips pursed as if holding back tears.
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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un expresses condolences for North Korean soldiers killed in Russia in footage broadcast by KCTV on 30/6. Photo: Yonhap |
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un expresses condolences for North Korean soldiers killed in Russia in footage broadcast by KCTV on 30/6. Photo: Yonhap
KCTV also released photos of North Korean soldiers with Russian troops and a blood-stained notebook recovered from the battlefield in Russia's Kursk province.
The notebook contained the lines "The decisive moment has come" and "Let us fight bravely in this sacred battle, with the boundless love and trust that our beloved Supreme Commander has given us".
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Images of North Korean and Russian soldiers released on 30/6. Photo: KCNA |
Images of North Korean and Russian soldiers released on 30/6. Photo: KCNA
KCTV also repeatedly showed footage of Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova, one of those present at the event, wiping away tears.
Based on images from the repatriation ceremony, Yonhap noted that the attendees were wearing winter clothing, suggesting the event may have taken place months ago and the remains of the North Korean soldiers may have started to be returned as early as last winter.
Ukraine launched an offensive in Russia's Kursk province in August 2024. North Korea subsequently sent forces to assist Russia in repelling the enemy and completely liberated Kursk province at the end of April. North Korea will continue to send 6,000 engineers and demining experts to Kursk to help rebuild areas formerly controlled by Ukraine.
Ngoc Anh (Yonhap, Korea Herald, Korea JoongAng Daily)
