Kim Jong Un Praises The Heroic North Korean Troops For Helping Russia Against Ukraine

JAKARTA - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un praised North Korea's "heroic" troops fighting for Russia in the fight against Ukraine.

This praise was conveyed in a meeting with military foreign operations officers, KCNA's state media reported on Thursday, August 21.

"Kim really appreciates their achievements in leading the combat units of our armed forces, who participated in the operation to liberate the Kursk Region in the Russian Federation, towards victory," KCNA reported.

North Korea sent more than 10,000 troops to support Russia's war in Ukraine and is believed to be planning to deploy additional troops, according to South Korean intelligence assessments.

Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a strategic partnership agreement in June last year, which includes a joint defense pact.

Ahead of Putin's meeting with US President Donald Trump, Kim spoke to Putin by telephone and reaffirmed his full support for Moscow.

Earlier, Kim paid tribute to North Korean soldiers who died during the war with Ukraine, covering their coffins with flags and placing their hands on their coffins in rare public appearances.

"Our army is heroic. Our army has fully demonstrated its unique quality. This result has confirmed its designation and reputation as the strongest soldier in the world," Kim said, according to KCNA.