Kim Jong Un is building a 'sacred shrine' for his fallen soldiers in Ukraine. How many have died in the war so far
Kim Jong Un. Credit line: STR / AFP / Profimedia
North Korea has begun building a memorial to its soldiers who died while fighting alongside Russian troops against Ukraine, state media reported Thursday. Leader Kim Jong Un hailed a “historic peak” in relations with Moscow, The Guardian reports.
The so-called Battle Deeds Memorial Museum will be built in the capital Pyongyang, where Kim and Russia's ambassador to North Korea attended a groundbreaking ceremony, the Korean Central News Agency reported.
Speaking at Thursday's event, Kim said the museum “is a sacred shrine dedicated to the immortality of true patriots.”
Kim also said his country's troops have been in Russia's Kursk region for a year and praised them for helping Russia achieve a “decisive victory.” “Our heroes destroyed the neo-Nazi invaders with their steadfast spirit of not tolerating any aggression but annihilating the aggressors,” the North Korean leader said.
He added that the relationship between North Korea and Russia is “now reaching a historic peak.”
North Korea, one of the world's most isolated nations, has become a key ally of Russia since Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022. It has sent thousands of soldiers and containers full of weapons to help the Kremlin drive Ukrainian forces out of western Russia.
At least 600 North Korean soldiers have been killed and thousands more wounded since being sent into battle, South Korean intelligence estimates.
Kim said the memorial will feature sculptures dedicated to North Korean soldiers who fought in Russia, as well as photos and artwork depicting the battles.
Moscow's ambassador to North Korea, Aleksandr Matsegora, and other Russian embassy officials attended Thursday's ceremony, Pyongyang media reported. Several North Korean government and military officials were also present, along with families of soldiers who died in Russia.
