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Kim Jong Un Praises North Korean Soldiers Fighting 'in Foreign Land'

Published January 1, 2026, 15:12
Kim Jong Un Praises North Korean Soldiers Fighting 'in Foreign Land'

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un praised members of his armed forces deployed and fighting in 'foreign land' and referenced Pyongyang's alliance with Moscow, in a New Year's message to the armed forces broadcast Wednesday by official media. “As a festive atmosphere prevails across the country to greet the new year, I miss you all the more as you are fighting bravely in battlefields in foreign lands, even at this moment, faithfully executing the orders of the motherland,” Mr. Kim said, his message carried by the official KCNA news agency. “Show bravery. Behind you are Pyongyang and Moscow,” he added. North Korea has sent thousands of soldiers to fight alongside Russian forces since the invasion of Ukraine nearly four years ago, according to South Korean and Western intelligence services. South Korean estimates put the number of North Korean officers killed at at least 600. In return, Moscow has offered Pyongyang economic aid, military technologies, food and hydrocarbons, analysts say. In his message, the North Korean leader praised his men for strengthening the 'invincible alliance' with the 'brotherly Russian people'.