Kim Jong Un mourns North Korean soldiers killed fighting for Russia
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was seen in emotional footage aired on state media, mourning over the coffin of North Korean troops who were reportedly killed while fighting for Russia in its war with Ukraine. The images, released by Korean Central Television and reported by South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency, showed Kim placing a North Korean flag on a casket during a cultural performance at the East Pyongyang Grand Theater.
Accompanied by Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, Kim was depicted standing beside the coffin with his hands pressed on it and lips tightly closed. The broadcast also included photos of North Korean soldiers alongside Russian troops, as well as a bloodstained notebook allegedly recovered from the battlefield in Russia’s Kursk region. The notebook contained a message that read, “The decisive moment has finally come,” and, “Let us bravely fight this sacred battle with the boundless love and trust bestowed upon us by our beloved Supreme Commander,” referring to Kim.
Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova was also present at the ceremony, shown wiping away tears along with other audience members. The emotional scenes were reported to be an attempt to shape a “victory narrative” following joint operations in Ukraine.
The images of Kim Jong Un mourning over the coffin and the presence of Russian officials at the event highlight the close relationship between North Korea and Russia. The one-year anniversary of North Korea’s “comprehensive strategic partnership” treaty with Moscow was marked during the cultural performance, emphasizing the strong ties between the two countries.
Overall, the footage captures a poignant moment of remembrance and solidarity between North Korean and Russian forces, underscoring the complexities of international relations in the context of ongoing conflicts.
