"North Korea sent troops to clear mines in Russia's Kursk region earlier this year, leader Kim Jong-un said in a speech carried on Saturday by state media, a rare acknowledgement by Pyongyang of the deadly tasks assigned to its deployed soldiers. According to South Korean and western intelligence agencies, North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support Russia's nearly four-year invasion of Ukraine. Analysts say Russia is giving North Korea financial aid, military technology, food and energy supplies in return, allowing the diplomatically isolated nation to sidestep tough international sanctions on its nuclear and missile programmes."
"He awarded the deceased state honours to add eternal lustre to their bravery. All of you, both officers and soldiers, displayed mass heroism overcoming unimaginable mental and physical burdens almost every day, Kim said. The troops had been able to work a miracle of turning a vast area of danger zone into a safe and secure one in a matter of less than three months. Images released by KCNA showed a smiling Kim embracing returned soldiers, some of whom appeared injured and in wheelchairs, at the ceremony in Pyongyang on Friday."
North Korea deployed troops to Russia's Kursk region earlier this year to clear landmines, contributing to wider support for Russia's nearly four-year invasion of Ukraine. South Korean and Western intelligence assessments indicate thousands of North Korean soldiers have been sent to assist Russian forces. Russia provided financial aid, military technology, food and energy supplies in exchange, helping North Korea mitigate international sanctions on its nuclear and missile programmes. An engineering regiment completed a 120-day deployment beginning in August, during which nine members died. Returned soldiers received state honours and images showed injured personnel embraced by the North Korean leader at a welcome ceremony.
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]