North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has posthumously awarded 101 soldiers killed in fighting with Ukrainian forces.
The ceremony took place in Pyongyang at the headquarters of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea.
Kim attended the event along with senior military leaders. Commanders, soldiers and relatives of the dead troops were also present.
Kim personally conferred the country’s highest title — ‘Hero of the DPRK.’ The 101st medal was symbolically placed next to the portraits of the fallen soldiers.
State media described the event as the ‘first ceremony’ of its kind, suggesting further awards could follow.
In speeches, North Korean leaders said “the overseas mission of the DPRK army is not yet completed,” signaling Pyongyang might continue to deploy troops in the war against Ukraine.
The move reflects North Korea’s acknowledgment of losses among forces it has sent to support Russia.
Analysts say the ceremony underscores Kim’s use of the war for domestic propaganda, while also highlighting the heavy toll on North Korean troops.
Earlier, the UK Ministry of Defence reported that North Korean troops had suffered thousands of casualties during offensive operations against Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk region. Initial assaults saw dozens of soldiers advancing across open terrain, leaving them vulnerable to Ukrainian artillery and drones.
