President Putin Praises North Korean Army Struggle In Kursk, Kim Leader: Brotherhood's Duties

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said his country would help what could be done for Russia, considering it a matter of brotherhood, responding to President Vladimir Putin's praise.

Leader Kim thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for his praise for the role of North Korean troops in releasing the Kursk Region from Ukrainian forces.

"In the framework of a (comprehensive strategic partnership) agreement, and in accordance with our obligations under this agreement, we are fighting with the people and the Russian army. My son Putin, I am very grateful to you for repeatedly praising the achievements of our army, including here today," said the leader, quoted from TASS September 3.

According to the North Korean leader, Pyongyang considers helping Moscow as the task of brotherhood.

"If there is anything we can do to help Russia, we will definitely do it. We will consider it a matter of brotherhood and do everything we can to achieve it," he said.

As previously reported, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday thanked Leader Kim Jong-un for the courage of the North Korean army in fighting Ukrainian forces.

"On your initiative, as is well known, your special forces participated in the release of the Kursk region," President Putin told leader Kim at a meeting in China.

"Your army fought bravely and heroicly," he continued.

North Korean troops helped Russia earlier this year expel Ukrainian troops from Russia's western region, Kursk.

"I want to emphasize, we will never forget the sacrifices that have been suffered by your armed forces and the families of your soldiers," said President Putin.

"On behalf of the Russian people, I would like to thank you for your participation in the joint struggle," he continued.

"I ask you to express my warmest thanks to all the people of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," President Putin said.

Russia and North Korea have entered into a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement since 2024, which includes a common defense. Loyalty to the alliance, North Korean soldiers participated in the release of several regions in the Kursk Region from the invasion of Ukrainian troops.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov, recorded the courage and important role of North Korean forces in defending the region.

Ukraine's massive attack on the Kursk Region began on August 6, 2024. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the enemy lost more than 76,500 soldiers during fighting in the Kursk region. The total cleaning of the region took 264 days. On April 26, 2025, Gerasimov reported to President Putin that the Kursk Region's release operation had been completed.