Putin reveals for the first time the role of North Korean troops in the war in Ukraine
Russian and North Korean leaders Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un revealed at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse what was an open secret: the intervention of the North Korean Armed Forces in the conflict with Ukraine, especially in the liberation of Kursk. Although previously, the Russian State Department had confirmed in various reports that North Korean troops were present on the Donbas Front.
North Korea's military role in the war in Ukraine has been so significant that the Russian president did not want to miss the opportunity to mention it during his meeting with his North Korean counterpart on his several-day trip to China to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. The military parade was attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and more than 20 heads of state.
‘On your initiative, as is well known, your special forces participated in the liberation of the Kursk region. Your soldiers fought with courage and heroism,’ Vladimir Putin said. ‘On behalf of the Russian people, I want to emphasise that we will never forget the sacrifices,’ he added.
In response, Kim thanked the Russian president for his words and stressed that relations between the two powers ‘are advanced in all areas’ and confirmed Pyongyang's active role in the conflict with Ukraine.
According to external reports from the FBI and South Korean intelligence services, North Korea's aid to Russia consists of more than 15,000 soldiers, of whom more than 5,000 have been reported killed. This fact dismayed the North Korean leader, who thanked the families of the fallen soldiers for their courage in defending North Korea's interests in the world.
The significance of the Korean visit
The activity took on new meaning with the inclusion of Kim Jong-un, as it was his first trip to China since January 2019, when he met with Xi for talks between the two countries.
The support became more evident when the three powers, marginalised by the Western world, signed a pact in June 2024 to respond in a coordinated manner in the event that one of the three countries was attacked by an external force.
This pact, according to officials present at the talks, was the main reason for the North Korean leader's presence at the military parade alongside Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, giving him the status of a highly relevant international player.
In contrast, this is the third time that Putin and Kim have met in the last two years. Kim's attendance at this event solidifies Pyongyang's role in the Asian bloc that Beijing and Moscow are trying to strengthen against the United States and its partners.
The presence of Putin and Kim alongside Xi sends two messages: mutual assistance against Western sanctions and the reaffirmation that the alliance between Beijing, Moscow and Pyongyang has consolidated itself as a united force in the new global arena.
International reaction
The presence of Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un together at one of the largest and most crowded military parades has prompted comments from the world's most important leaders, especially US President Donald Trump.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote: ‘Please convey my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un as they conspire against the United States of America.’
On Tuesday night, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to Putin. The only thing he refuses to be ‘forced’ into is peace. Russia continues to launch attacks. Of course we will respond. Russia will feel the ‘consequences of its audacity,’ Zelensky added.