Khaberni - In a step that reflects the depth of the military alliance between Pyongyang and Moscow, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un praised what he described as "unparalleled courage" of his country's soldiers participating in military operations alongside Russian forces.
These statements came on Friday during Kim's visit to a memorial being specially built for the casualties of that war, where the official news agency quoted him emphasizing the need to etch these heroisms into history as a symbol of the invincible strength of the Korean People's Army.
This visit comes as an extension of the groundbreaking ceremony for the "Memorial Museum of Combatant Feats" held in October last, attended by the Russian ambassador, where Kim described relations with the Kremlin as having reached a "historical peak".
Although the agency's report issued on Saturday did not explicitly mention Russia by name, the general context and messages of "unconditional" support for the policies of Russian President Vladimir Putin confirm that Pyongyang has become a major partner in the ongoing conflict for nearly four years.
Estimates by South Korean and Western intelligence agencies indicate that North Korea has sent thousands of soldiers to support the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Statistics coming from Seoul indicate the death of about 600 North Korean soldiers and injuries to thousands more during the battles.
Analysts see this "human cost" as being offset by significant strategic gains for Pyongyang, including access to advanced military technology, food and energy supplies, and financial aid that contribute to mitigating the effects of international sanctions imposed on it.
Kim Jong Un's pledge of absolute support for Putin's decisions reflects a radical shift in the global alliance map; where North Korea has moved from a phase of isolation to playing an influential role in European security through its support for Moscow.
The construction of this memorial museum sends a message to the Korean interior that "foreign military operations" have become part of the doctrine of the People's Army, which provides the regime with new legitimacy based on "international heroism" and participation in shaping a multipolar world system away from Western dominance.
