Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, has met with the families of his soldiers killed fighting for Russia in Ukraine, offering condolences for their “unforgiveable pain” and promising the bereaved “a beautiful life,” according to state media.
Kim hosted the families of the fallen soldiers, according to a report from the KCNA state news agency on Saturday, and expressed “grief at having failed to save the precious lives of those who gave their lives to defend the country’s honor.
Kim met with the families of fallen soldiers on this month’s second reported occasion. Seoul estimates about 600 soldiers killed and tens of thousands more wounded fighting for Russia, but Pyongyang has not confirmed this.
According to KCNA, Kim stated in his speech that “I had this meeting arranged as I wanted to meet and console the bereaved families of all the heroes and even slightly ease their sorrow and anguish.”
Kim also pledged to dedicate a monument to the late King’s son in Pyongyang, create a new street for bereaved families, and give the state its full support for the children of fallen soldiers.
The North Korean leader expressed sympathy for the children who lost their fathers in his “heart breaks and aches.”
He continued, “I, our state, and our army will assume full responsibility for them and train them like their fathers as steadfast and courageous fighters.”
Kim sent more than 10,000 soldiers to Russia in 2024, according to South Korean and Western intelligence agencies, primarily to the Kursk region, along with long-range rocket systems, missiles, and artillery from North Korea.
Images released by KCNA show an emotional Kim embracing a returned soldier who appeared to be overwhelmed and burying his face in the leader’s chest at a ceremony held last week with mourning family members and Ukrainian war veterans.
The leader was also seen paying his respects by lowering medals and flowers next to pictures of fallen soldiers.
Next week, Kim will represent the Japanese’s surrender at a military parade in Beijing along with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Source: Aljazeera
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