North Korean Soldiers Return From Russia’s War With Ukraine

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un this week celebrated the return of specialized soldiers who had been deployed in Russia's war against Ukraine. State media reported Saturday that Kim honored nine soldiers killed in action with North Korea's highest medal.

The event marked North Korea's first public acknowledgment of sending troops to assist Russia in the conflict. These specialized soldiers were combat engineers whose primary task was clearing mines.

In July, the Kremlin stated that North Korea had agreed to send 1,000 combat engineers and 5,000 military construction workers to help rebuild the war-damaged Kursk region of Russia. Reports previously indicated that up to 15,000 North Korean troops had fought alongside Russian forces in the area, working to displace Ukrainian soldiers.

According to state media, the combat engineers returned after completing a demining operation in Kursk. A large welcoming ceremony was held on Friday in a Pyongyang plaza, where Kim thanked the troops for their "sacred mission" and lauded their "brilliant military exploits."

Kim addressed the returning members of North Korea's 528th Regiment of Engineers, stating, "You could work a miracle of turning a vast area of danger zone into a safe and secure one in a matter of less than three months… Except for the heart-rending loss of nine lives, all the officers and soldiers of the regiment have returned to the motherland."

State media photos showed Kim hugging returning soldiers, including five who were in wheelchairs. He also presented medals to portraits of the fallen soldiers, designating them as North Korean "heroes."