North Korea builds memorial for soldiers killed in Ukraine war
Relations between North Korea and Russia “are now reaching their historic peak”, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un rejoiced as construction began on a memorial to his soldiers who died fighting for Russia in Ukraine.
The “Memorial Museum of Military Exploits” will be opened in the capital Pyongyang, where Kim Jong-un and the Russian ambassador to North Korea, Alexander Matsegora, attended an inauguration ceremony, according to the official KCNA agency. Speaking at the event on Thursday, Mr. Kim described the museum as “a sacred shrine dedicated to the immortality of true patriots”.
Russia and North Korea have increased military cooperation in recent years, with the North Koreans providing weapons and troops to support Russia’s ongoing assault on Ukraine since February 2022. According to Seoul, at least 600 North Korean troops have been killed and thousands more injured since they were sent into combat, including to retake Russia’s Kursk region conquered by Ukraine in the summer of 2024.
“Our heroes destroyed the evil neo-Nazi invaders with their determination to tolerate no aggression and destroy the aggressors”declared Kim Jong-un, congratulating his troops, present for a year in the Russian region of Kursk, for having helped Russia win a “decisive victory”.
The North Korean leader said the memorial would feature sculptures dedicated to North Korean soldiers who fought in Russia, as well as photos and artwork depicting the fighting.
In Moscow, an art exhibition was organized to celebrate ties with Pyongyang. It shows North Korean soldiers and their Russian allies resisting a hostile West.
Pyongyang and Moscow have been linked by a security and defense agreement since 2024.
