The images shocked the world. Kim Jong-un, the reclusive and tightly controlled leader of North Korea, was shown standing in front of coffins draped in his nation’s flag, reportedly containing the bodies of North Korean Soldiers Killed While Fighting for Russia in Ukraine.
This rare gesture of mourning marks a significant shift in Pyongyang’s public messaging, as it was the first time that state media openly acknowledged the deaths of North Korean troops in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The moment was deeply symbolic, and perhaps strategic, as it came during a lavish gala celebrating the first anniversary of a military treaty between North Korea and Russia.
Held at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre, the performance featured both North Korean and Russian artists and was attended by Russian culture minister Olga Lyubimova, Kim Jong-un, and his daughter Kim Ju-ae. The presence of high-profile figures from both nations, along with the emotionally charged visual tributes, underscored the growing military alliance between Moscow and Pyongyang.
Kim Jong-un’s tribute to the fallen soldiers, in particular, served as a message to both domestic and international audiences: North Korea is not merely a weapons supplier to Russia—it is a nation whose soldiers are spilling blood on foreign battlefields.
North Korea’s Quiet But Growing Involvement in the Ukraine War
For months, Pyongyang denied any military involvement in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. But over time, credible reports began to surface about North Korean military aid to Russia, including shipments of ammunition, ballistic missiles, and artillery shells.
Western intelligence agencies and analysts pointed to satellite images, intercepted communications, and other evidence indicating a growing military partnership between the two isolated regimes. Still, the actual presence of North Korean troops on Ukrainian soil—or at least in Russian territory near the frontlines—was harder to prove.
This changed dramatically with the public acknowledgment during the June gala. South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported that the footage shown during the event included images of what appeared to be a blood-stained notebook retrieved from a battlefield in Russia’s Kursk region.
One page reportedly bore the words, “The decisive moment has finally come,” and “Let us bravely fight this sacred battle with the boundless love and trust bestowed upon us by our beloved Supreme Commander.” The tone and style of the messages suggested that they were written by a North Korean soldier in a moment of patriotic fervor, reinforcing the state’s portrayal of these troops as martyrs for a noble cause.
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According to South Korean lawmakers, an estimated 15,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to Russia since autumn of the previous year. The casualties are significant—nearly 4,700, including about 600 confirmed deaths.
North Korea's state media showed leader Kim Jong Un draping coffins with the national flag in what appeared to be the repatriation of soldiers killed fighting for Russia against Ukraine, at an event with the Russian ambassador to Pyongyang. pic.twitter.com/BwFhATZ7dZ
— ABC News (@ABC) July 1, 2025
These numbers, while unverified by independent observers, offer a grim look into the scale of North Korea’s direct involvement in the conflict. Despite the high cost, North Korea appears to be doubling down on its support, with Seoul’s intelligence agency warning that further deployments could be expected in the coming months.
Shifting Narratives and Strategic Alliances
The decision to show images of Kim Jong-un grieving over soldiers’ coffins was more than an emotional gesture; it was a calculated political move. Analysts like Hong Min of the Korea Institute for National Unification noted that the regime was likely attempting to recast the deaths of its soldiers as part of a broader victory narrative.
By framing the fallen as heroes who contributed to the “reclamation” of Russia’s Kursk region, Pyongyang is not only justifying its losses but also promoting the strength of its alliance with Moscow. The event also served to humanize the conflict for North Korean citizens, many of whom are subjected to heavy propaganda and censorship.
For the first time, state media showed images of soldiers believed to have been deployed abroad—a powerful shift in the regime’s communication strategy. The Korea Herald reported that audience members at the gala were seen wiping away tears, visibly moved by the emotional performances and tributes.
Kim Jong-un’s emotional display, seated beside his daughter and the Russian culture minister, projected an image of personal investment and leadership. He was not just a commander issuing orders from a distance—he was a grieving leader, mourning the loss of those who fought under his banner. The presence of Kim Ju-ae, often considered a potential successor, added a dynastic dimension to the moment, symbolizing continuity and commitment to the alliance with Russia.
Militarized Diplomacy and the Future of the North Korea-Russia Axis
North Korea’s military support for Russia is not without its rewards. In return for supplying munitions, personnel, and strategic support, Pyongyang has reportedly received advanced military technologies, satellite assistance, and economic aid.
This exchange is mutually beneficial for two countries increasingly isolated by international sanctions and diplomatic pressures. For Russia, North Korea offers cheap labor, manpower, and ammunition. For North Korea, Russia provides access to technology and economic lifelines.
In April, both Putin and Kim Jong-un publicly confirmed the deployment of North Korean troops, calling them “heroes.” Kim Jong-un also promised to build a monument in Pyongyang in honor of the fallen and to establish permanent memorial sites where citizens could lay flowers. These developments not only mark a historical first in North Korean foreign military engagement but also illustrate how deeply entrenched this new axis of cooperation has become.
This partnership is not without risks. North Korea’s open involvement in the Ukraine war may provoke further sanctions and international condemnation. It also raises questions about the regime’s willingness to expend its limited military resources in a foreign conflict when domestic needs remain pressing. However, the benefits—from technological advancements to international legitimacy among a small circle of allies—may outweigh the costs in Kim Jong-un’s strategic calculus.
The ceremony, laced with nationalist sentiment and emotional propaganda, signals a new phase in North Korea’s engagement with the world. No longer content to act as a passive ally, Pyongyang is stepping onto the international stage as an active military partner. And while the coffins wrapped in North Korea’s flag may symbolize loss, they also represent a new chapter in the country’s global positioning.
As the Ukraine war continues, it remains to be seen how far North Korea will go in its support for Russia. What is clear, however, is that Kim Jong-un has made a conscious choice to link his regime’s fate with that of Vladimir Putin’s—militarily, ideologically, and emotionally.