Russia's Vladimir Putin has thanked North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for the courage of his soldiers who have been fighting in Ukraine on the Russian side.
Kim, in response, said he was willing to do everything I can to assist Russia.
The two leaders met on Wednesday in Beijing as China held one of its largest military parades, marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War in Asia.
Putin, who launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, stated that bilateral relations between Russia and North Korea are friendly and highlighted how Pyongyang's military has contributed significantly to partly liberating the Kursk region.
Your soldiers fought courageously and heroically, Putin noted during the talks. He further expressed, I would like to acknowledge the sacrifices that your armed forces and the families of your servicemen have endured.
Kim expressed gratitude for Putin's acknowledgment of North Korea's troops, emphasizing that bilateral relations were advancing across all areas, referring to Pyongyang's involvement in the shared military struggle in Ukraine. He declared, If there is any way we can assist Russia, we will certainly do it as a fraternal duty.
According to South Korean intelligence, North Korea has dispatched approximately 15,000 troops to support Russia, accompanied by missiles and advanced weaponry. In return, North Korea reportedly received food, monetary aid, and technical support.
These soldiers have been involved in Moscow's operations to reclaim territories in the western Kursk region, an area recently captured by Ukrainian forces.
Western estimates suggest heavy casualties among North Korean troops, with January reports indicating at least 1,000 casualties in three months, and more recent estimates citing around 4,700 North Korean casualties overall.
Having no prior combat experience, North Korean troops initially underwent training in Russia before being assigned to supportive roles.
During this recent meeting, Kim met with families of North Korean soldiers killed in the conflict, expressing sorrow over their deaths and pledging to honor their sacrifices.
This meeting marks the third encounter between the two leaders in two years as relations strengthen amid ongoing cooperation between Russia and North Korea.
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