Kim Jong Un Vows “Beautiful Life” for Families of North Korean Soldiers Killed in Ukraine War

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has met with the grieving families of soldiers killed while fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, offering his condolences and pledging full state support.

During the solemn gathering in Pyongyang, Kim bowed before portraits of the fallen, presented medals, and personally embraced the families. He described their loss as an “unbearable pain” and vowed that the state would never abandon them.

Promises to the Families

Kim announced that a monument would be built in the capital to honor the soldiers’ “immortal feats” and that a new street would be named after them. He further pledged full state care for the children of the deceased, promising they would be educated and raised as “staunch fighters like their fathers.”

“My heart breaks more when I see those little children,” Kim said. “I, our state, and our army will take full responsibility for them and give them a beautiful life.”

Background of Deployment

North Korea officially confirmed in April that it had deployed troops to Russia, admitting that some had been killed in combat. According to South Korean intelligence, around 15,000 soldiers were dispatched, mainly to the Kursk region. Estimates suggest at least 600 North Korean troops have died and several thousand more have been wounded.

Alongside manpower, Pyongyang has also supplied artillery shells, missiles, and long-range rocket systems to Russia as part of its military support. This cooperation stems from the 2024 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty signed between Moscow and Pyongyang, strengthening defense and security ties.

Emotional Tributes

At last week’s ceremony, Kim was seen kneeling before portraits of fallen soldiers, laying flowers, and consoling weeping relatives. State media released images of him embracing a returning soldier who broke down in tears in the leader’s arms.

In early July, Kim also paid respects to flag-draped coffins of North Korean soldiers returned from the battlefield, visibly emotional as he honored their sacrifice.

Strategic Significance

Analysts say the public display of mourning serves two purposes: to reinforce loyalty at home by portraying the fallen as “heroes of the state,” and to signal solidarity with Moscow as ties between the two nations deepen.

Kim is expected to further showcase this partnership by standing alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at an upcoming military parade in Beijing, underscoring the growing trilateral alignment against Western influence.