North Korea has widely reported, through its internal publications and other channels, a statement from Russian President Vladimir Putin expressing his gratitude for the deployment of North Korean troops. In addition, a North Korean delegation visited Russia ahead of the upcoming 80th anniversary of Russia's Victory Day, which marks the end of World War II, on May 9.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jongun during Putin's visit to North Korea in June last year. Photo by Yonhap News
On April 29, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) and the Workers' Party official newspaper Rodong Sinmun published the full text of President Putin's statement regarding the participation of North Korean troops in the liberation operation in Russia's Kursk region. The previous day, President Putin had formalized the dispatch of North Korean troops to Russia, stating, "The North Korean military units played an active role in the battle to repel the Ukrainian neo-Nazi forces that invaded our territory." He added, "I highly appreciate this and personally extend my sincere gratitude to Supreme Leader Kim Jongun, as well as to the entire leadership and people of North Korea."
North Korea's detailed reporting of President Putin's full statement appears to be intended both to highlight the legitimacy of Supreme Leader Kim Jongun's decision to deploy troops, and to prevent public discontent resulting from the thousands of casualties that have occurred.
Meanwhile, KCNA also reported that a North Korean delegation is visiting Russia. KCNA stated, "A delegation of the Korean People's Army, headed by Deputy Director Park Youngil of the General Political Bureau, departed Pyongyang on the 28th to participate in the 3rd International Anti-Fascist Conference being held in Russia." The report added, "At Pyongyang International Airport, officers of the Korean People's Army and the Russian Federation Embassy's military attach? in our country saw them off."
This visit by the North Korean delegation to Russia is drawing attention, as speculation continues about the possibility of Kim Jongun visiting Russia around the time of Victory Day on May 9. During his visit to North Korea in June last year, President Putin invited Kim Jongun to Moscow. However, there are differing views on whether Kim Jongun's visit to Russia will take place during the multilateral diplomatic event of Victory Day, or whether it will occur at another time in the form of a separate visit.
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