### North Korea's Military Support for Russia: Acknowledgment of Troops' Sacrifice In a significant development, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has publicly acknowledged the deployment of troops to Russia's Kursk region, where they participated in mine-clearing operations as part of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This marks a rare admission from Pyongyang regarding its military involvement in support of Moscow's war efforts. The troops, who were deployed for 120 days, faced considerable challenges, resulting in the tragic loss of nine soldiers during their mission. Kim praised the returning soldiers for their "mass heroism" and their ability to transform a dangerous area into a safe zone in less than three months, highlighting the deepening ties between North Korea and Russia amid international sanctions and geopolitical tensions [https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/north-korean-leader-kim-hails-troops-returning-from-russia-mission-state-media-says][https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3336306/north-koreas-kim-reveals-soldiers-cleared-mines-russia-rare-public-statement][https://www.firstpost.com/world/north-korea-admits-sending-troops-to-russias-kursk-region-to-clear-mines-ws-e-13959342.html]. ### Structure of the Summary 1. **Overview of the Troops' Mission** - Deployment details and tasks performed in Russia. - Acknowledgment of casualties and their significance. 2. **Kim Jong Un's Public Statements** - Praise for the soldiers' bravery and heroism. - Emotional aspects of the welcome ceremony. 3. **Geopolitical Context** - Implications of North Korea's support for Russia. - Analysis of the relationship between the two nations. 4. **Public and International Reactions** - Responses from South Korean and Western intelligence. - Potential ramifications for North Korea's international standing. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Deployment Duration**: 120 days in the Kursk region. - **Casualties**: Nine soldiers killed during the mission. - **Public Recognition**: Kim Jong Un awarded state honors to the deceased soldiers. - **Troop Activities**: Successful mine-clearing operations that transformed a hazardous area into a safe zone in under three months [https://www.staradvertiser.com/2025/12/13/breaking-news/north-korean-leader-hails-troops-returning-from-russia-mission][https://24newshd.tv/13-Dec-2025/north-korea-acknowledges-troops-cleared-mines-russia][https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/3729541-north-korea-honors-troops-after-russia-ukraine-deployment]. ### Conclusion and Key Findings **North Korea's military involvement in Russia's war effort underscores a significant shift in its foreign policy and military strategy.** 1. **Troops were deployed to Russia for mine-clearing operations**, marking a rare acknowledgment of military support for Moscow [https://www.anews.com.tr/asia/2025/12/13/north-korean-leader-welcomes-troops-returning-from-russia-in-ukraine-war]. 2. **Kim Jong Un publicly praised the soldiers**, highlighting their bravery and the sacrifices made during the mission [https://www.anews.com.tr/world/2025/12/13/north-korean-leader-kim-hails-troops-returning-from-russia-mission]. 3. **The geopolitical implications of this support may further isolate North Korea**, as it deepens its ties with Russia amidst ongoing international sanctions [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/13/north-korea-troops-cleared-landmines-russia-kim-jong-un]. This situation reflects the evolving dynamics of international relations in the context of the Ukraine conflict and the strategic partnerships formed in response to global pressures.