North Korean leader Kim Jong Un says participation in Russia-Ukraine war justifiedTopic:War1h ago1 hours agoSat 10 May 2025 at 12:41amNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un described the soldiers who participated in the Kursk operation as "heroes" and "the highest representatives of the nation’s honour".
(Reuters/KCNA )In short: Kim Jong Un called North Korea’s involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war an exercise of sovereign rights in defence of a "brother nation".He also said Pyongyang would not hesitate to authorise the use of military force if the United States persists in what he called military provocations against Russia.abc.net.au/news/north-korea-kim-jong-un-russia-ukraine-war-justified/105277450Link copiedShareShare articleNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un said North Korea’s involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war was justified, calling it an exercise of sovereign rights in defence of a "brother nation," state media KCNA reported on Saturday."Our participation in the conflict was just, and it falls within the sovereign rights of our Republic," Kim said, according to KCNA. "I consider all the brave soldiers who participated in the Kursk operation to be heroes and the highest representatives of the nation’s honour," he added.Kim Jong also said Pyongyang would not hesitate to authorise the use of military force if the United States persists in what he called military provocations against Russia.More than 10,000 troops sent to RussiaNorth Korea did not officially confirm until late April that it had sent more than 10,000 troops and weapons to Russia as the countries' military ties grew dramatically under a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed by Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin last year.In December last year, about 30 North Korean troops were killed or wounded during a battle with the Ukrainian army over the weekend in Russia's Kursk border region, according to Ukraine's military intelligence agency.In February, North Korean troops were "withdrawn", according to a Ukrainian military official. A Ukrainian serviceman patrols a street next to buildings, damaged during fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces in controlled by Ukrainian army the town of Sudzha, Kursk (Reuters: Yan Dobronosov)Special Operations Forces spokesperson Oleksandr Kindratenko said Ukrainian forces had not "seen or detected any activity or military clashes with the North Koreans"."We believe that they have been withdrawn because of the heavy losses that were inflicted," he said.Ukrainian officials have said that wounded North Korean troops were blowing themselves up with grenades rather than being taken alive.The casualties of the North Korean soldiers occurred around three villages in Kursk, where Russia has for four months been trying to quash a Ukrainian incursion, the agency, known by its acronym GUR, said in a public post on the Telegram messaging app.At least three North Korean servicemen went missing around another Kursk village, GUR said.The White House also said it believed North Korean troops were on the "front lines" of Russia's war and were "actively engaged in combat operations" against Ukraine.Posted 1h ago1 hours agoSat 10 May 2025 at 12:41amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top Stories'Third party' vote looks set to beat CoalitionTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows A triangular chart showing an example of some electorates shifting from LNP to 'Other candidates' at the 2025 federal electionTrump says he has a new plan for Gaza. 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