‘We will always honor the Korean heroes who gave their lives for Russia’: Putin thanks Kim Jong Un for North Korea’s help in battle for Kursk
Russian President Vladimir Putin has thanked the Korean People’s Army and Kim Jong Un for North Korean soldiers’ participation alongside Russia in the war against Ukraine.
In a statement published on the Kremlin’s website on April 28, Putin said that North Korean troops had taken an active role in “defeating a group of Ukrainian militants who invaded the Kursk region.” He said North Korean forces had acted “in full accordance with international law and with the letter and spirit of the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Russian Federation and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.”
"Our Korean friends acted out of solidarity, a sense of justice, and true comradeship. We highly value this and are sincerely grateful to Chairman of State Affairs comrade Kim Jong Un personally, as well as to the leadership and people of North Korea," Putin said.
He praised the “high level of specialized training and dedication of the Korean soldiers,” adding, “They fulfilled their duty with honor and valor, covering themselves in undying glory.”
The Russian people will never forget the feat of the Korean special forces fighters. We will always honor the Korean heroes who gave their lives for Russia, for our shared freedom, alongside their Russian brothers-in-arms.
On April 26, Russian Army General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov reported to Putin that Russian forces had defeated Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region. Gerasimov separately thanked North Korean soldiers for their participation in the fighting. North Korea has since confirmed that its troops are participating in the war on Russia’s side.
Meanwhile, Russian troops and pro-war bloggers have reported that Ukrainian forces remain present in parts of the Kursk region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made the same claim on April 27.