North Korea has officially declared its involvement in the war against Ukraine, confirming for the first time that it has deployed troops to fight alongside Russian forces.
In a report published by state news agency KCNA, Pyongyang’s military announced that its soldiers contributed to the “complete liberation” of Russia’s Kursk border region, following an order from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The report framed the deployment as part of a broader military alliance with Moscow under a mutual defense treaty.
The announcement marks a major escalation, as it effectively places North Korea in a state of war against Ukraine. It comes just days after Russia’s Chief of General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, publicly praised the “heroism” of North Korean troops—the first official acknowledgment from Moscow of Pyongyang’s role in the conflict.
Responding to the development, the United States condemned North Korea’s actions, stating that Pyongyang must bear responsibility for prolonging the war.
South Korean and Western intelligence agencies had previously reported that North Korea sent thousands of troops to the Kursk region in 2024, although Pyongyang had not confirmed this until now.
According to KCNA, Kim Jong Un praised the deployed soldiers, calling them “heroes” and “representatives of the honour of the motherland.” The report added that the fighting in Kursk demonstrated the “alliance and brotherhood” between North Korea and Russia, describing it as a “friendship proven by blood” that would further strengthen bilateral ties.
