Kim Jong Un Praises NK Troops Returning From Russia Mission
Kim Jong Un Praises NK Troops Returning From Russia Mission
North Korea welcomes home the 528th Engineer Regiment from Russia, honoring nine fallen soldiers as Kim Jong Un pledges awards and mass heroism.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un welcomed back the 528th Engineer Regiment of the Korean People’s Army after a 120-day overseas deployment in Russia, praising their “heroic” conduct. The ceremony, held in Pyongyang, highlighted the soldiers’ return from a mission described by state media as a demonstration of the regime’s resolve and discipline.
KCNA reported that the unit carried out combat and engineering tasks in the Kursk region during Moscow’s war with Ukraine. The gathering included footage of uniformed troops disembarking from an aircraft, Kim embracing a soldier in a wheelchair, and large crowds of officials, families, and citizens offering cheers. The 528th Regiment’s mission is described as part of a broader North Korean support under a mutual defense pact with Russia, with thousands of soldiers deployed overseas over many months.
Nine soldiers were killed during the mission, described by Kim as a “heartrending loss.” The regiment was announced to receive the Order of Freedom and Independence, and the fallen soldiers were posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, among other state honors. In his remarks, Kim praised officers and soldiers for their “heroic” conduct and “mass heroism” in fulfilling the Workers’ Party’s orders.
The ceremony underscored the scale of North Korea’s involvement, including reports that around 4,700 North Korean soldiers were killed or wounded while fighting for Russia, according to South Korean, Ukrainian, and Western sources. The event also touched on the broader context of North Korea’s participation, noting that since last year, about 14,000 North Korean troops had been dispatched to assist Russia, with more than 6,000 cited as killed in various assessments.
As Pyongyang celebrated the homecoming, the public display of solidarity with Moscow served as a stark reminder of the intertwined military and strategic interests shaping the region, amid ongoing tensions and uncertainties surrounding the conflict in Ukraine.
Cover image source: North Korean leader Kim hails troops returning from Russia mission, State media says 🔗
