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North Korea Unveils Memorial Museum Honoring Soldiers Killed Fighting for Russia in Ukraine Conflict
SEOUL – North Korea has inaugurated a memorial museum dedicated to its soldiers who died fighting alongside Russian forces against Ukraine, underscoring the growing military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow.
The museum’s opening ceremony took place Sunday in Pyongyang, marking the one-year anniversary of the operation to reclaim Russia’s Kursk border region from Ukrainian forces. North Korean state media reported that leader Kim Jong Un attended the event alongside senior Russian officials, including State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin and Defense Minister Andrei Beloussov.
During the ceremony, Kim Jong Un paid respects by scattering soil over the remains of a fallen soldier and laying flowers before others interred in the mortuary. Both he and the Russian dignitaries left messages in the guest book.
In his speech, Kim hailed the soldiers’ sacrifice as a symbol of North Korean heroism and emphasized their role in supporting the joint efforts of the Korean and Russian peoples. He criticized what he described as a U.S.-led Western “hegemonic plot and military adventurism” in the conflict.
Kim also met privately with Defense Minister Beloussov, affirming North Korea’s full support for Russia’s sovereignty and security objectives. According to Russian state news, Beloussov indicated that Moscow is prepared to formalize a military cooperation agreement with Pyongyang for the period from 2027 to 2031.
A letter from Russian President Vladimir Putin, read aloud at the event, described the museum as a clear symbol of the enduring friendship and solidarity between the two nations. Putin expressed confidence that this strategic partnership would continue to deepen.
North Korea reportedly deployed approximately 15,000 troops to assist Russian forces in the Kursk region, with estimates suggesting around 2,000 North Korean soldiers were killed. Although initially inexperienced and vulnerable to drone and artillery strikes, North Korean troops are believed to have gained valuable combat experience and played a significant role in Russia’s strategy of applying overwhelming force.
Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Kim Jong Un has prioritized Moscow in his foreign policy, providing manpower and conventional weaponry. In return, North Korea is thought to have received economic aid and other support. This partnership has raised concerns among South Korea, the United States, and their allies that Russia may be transferring advanced technologies that could accelerate North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.
The establishment of the memorial museum highlights the deepening military ties and shared narratives between Pyongyang and Moscow amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region.