Ukrainian forces capture a North Korean soldier in the western Russian Kursk region /Courtesy of Zelensky, Ukrainian President X Capture

North Korea revealed on the 29th a statement of gratitude for the deployment by Russian President Vladimir Putin to its residents. It is interpreted as an effort to prevent public sentiment from turning amid the situation of thousands of casualties.

The (North) Korean Central News Agency reported that President Putin issued a statement regarding the participation of the North Korean military in the liberation operation in Russia's Kursk region, adding that the full text was published on the front page of the Labor Party's official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun.

In the statement, President Putin claimed legitimacy regarding the deployment by North Korea, stating it is "entirely in accordance with international law and in line with Article 4 of the 'Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' signed by the two countries last June."

President Putin also expressed his "sincere condolences" to Kim Jong Un, the head of state, the North Korean leadership, and the residents, saying, "We will forever remember the heroes of Korea who sacrificed their lives for Russia, our common freedom, alongside our comrades in Russia."

On the 28th, the North Korean Labor Party’s publication, Rodong Sinmun, reports on the front page that the North Korean military significantly contributed to restoring the territory of Kursk at the border through a written statement from the party's Central Military Commission. /Courtesy of Rodong Sinmun·News1

Rodong Sinmun also reported significantly that Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, praised the achievements of the North Korean military, noting that during a report to President Putin on the conclusion of the Kursk operation on the 26th, Gerasimov stated that the North Korean military "greatly assisted in annihilating the Ukrainian military group," demonstrating "bravery and heroism in every battle."

Rodong Sinmun introduced comments such as, "The solidarity demonstrated by the friends of Korea proves that our bilateral relations are at a high level of alliance" (Maria Zakharova, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), and, "The Korean People's Army made a substantial and significant contribution to liberating Russian territory" (Senior Researcher of the Russian Academy of Sciences).

The North Korean authorities' announcement of the achievements of the Russian deployed troops in the Rodong Sinmun, which residents read, is interpreted as an effort to highlight that Kim Jong Un's deployment decision was justified. Until now, North Korea has sought to conceal related information from other residents, isolating families of deployed troops. However, as news of casualties has spread internally, it appears there has been a disturbance in public sentiment.