North Korea has officially confirmed its partnership with Russia amid its war with Ukraine, with North Korea having sent troops to Ukrainian soil to help Russian troops in operations against Ukraine.
The statement came on Monday
As the war between Russia and Ukraine continues despite conversations around a ceasefire, a statement released on Monday April 28 by North Korea’s KCNA state news agency confirmed North Korea’s involvement in the war.
RELATED STORIES
They said the military showcased ‘militant friendship’
KCNA quoted the ruling party in North Korea praising their military for involvement in recent offenses in the Russia – Ukraine war.
The news agency quoted the central military commission of North Korea ruling Workers’ party who said that the country had showcased the “highest strategic level of the firm militant friendship” between them and Russia.
KCNA quoted the ruling party
The central military commission of North Korea ruling Workers’ party also said, “Under the order of the head of state, the sub-units of the armed forces of the Republic regarded the territory of Russia as the one of their country and proved the firm alliance between the two countries.”
This is the first official admission of involvement
The US, South Korea, and Ukraine had all previously spoken about North Korea dispatching 10,000 to 12,000 troops to fight alongside Russia in the war.
So while this isn’t news, it’s the first official confirmation from North Korea of their involvement on the ground as the country hadn’t confirmed or denied this until today.
Kim Jong Un’s orders were clear against Ukrainian troops
According to KCNA, Kim Jong Un’s deployment orders were to ‘annihilate’ Ukrainian troops on the ground, as per Al Jazeera.
“North Korea regards it as an honor to have an alliance with such a powerful state as the Russian Federation,” KCNA said.
KCNA quoted Kim Jong Un in the statement
Quoting Kim Jong Un, KCNA said, “They who fought for justice are all heroes and representatives of the honor of the motherland.”
Russia also shared last week that they were aided by North Korean troops, thanking them for allegedly helping expel Ukrainian forces from Kursk.
But Ukraine said their troops are still fighting
Despite Russia’s claims that it has expelled Ukrainian troops from Kursk with North Korea’s help, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said his troops are still fighting there.
In an address he said, “Our military continues to perform tasks in the Kursk and Belgorod regions – we are maintaining our presence on Russian territory.”
The US state department showed concern
A spokesperson for the US state department said that it remains concerned about North Korea’s involvement in the war between Russia and Ukraine.
The spokesperson said, “We continue to be concerned by [North Korea’s] direct involvement in the war. [North Korea’s] military deployment to Russia and any support provided by the Russian Federation to [North Korea] in return must end.”