Kim Jong Un Hails North Korean Troops Abroad, Signals Deeper Russia Alliance
Seoul/Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has praised his troops fighting abroad for forging what he described as an “invincible alliance” with Russia, according to a New Year’s message released by state media on Thursday. His remarks come amid reports that Pyongyang has deployed thousands of soldiers to support Russia’s war in Ukraine.
State-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted Mr. Kim as commending soldiers fighting in an “alien land” for their “heroic” defence of national honour. He urged them to remain brave, adding that both Pyongyang and Moscow stood firmly behind them. As the country welcomed the New Year, Mr. Kim said he missed the troops who continued to fight on overseas battlefields.
South Korean and Western intelligence agencies estimate that North Korea has sent thousands of troops to Russia, with South Korean assessments suggesting at least 600 soldiers have been killed and many more injured. Analysts say Pyongyang is receiving financial assistance, military technology and supplies of food and energy from Moscow in exchange for its support.
Mr. Kim also hinted at further overseas military engagement in 2025, referring to “remarkable feats” yet to be performed on foreign battlefields. He framed the deployment as a symbol of solidarity with the “fraternal Russian people” and a strengthening of bilateral ties.
The New Year message accompanied a large celebratory event at Pyongyang’s May Day Stadium, where Mr. Kim appeared alongside his wife Ri Sol Ju and daughter Ju Ae, widely believed to be his likely successor.
Experts say the deepening alliance with Russia has provided North Korea with an economic and diplomatic lifeline, allowing it to resist pressure from the United States and South Korea. However, reports from the battlefield describe harsh conditions for North Korean troops, including allegations that soldiers are ordered to avoid capture at all costs.
Our Final Thoughts
Kim Jong Un’s message underscores how overseas military deployments have become central to North Korea’s strategy, blending foreign policy, survival economics and nationalist messaging as global tensions intensify.