North Korea defends sending troops to help Russia

Seoul

North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un has defended sending troops to Russia to fight against Ukraine, calling it a justified act and part of the country’s sovereign rights. This statement was reported by North Korea’s state media on Saturday.

Kim made these comments while visiting the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang on Friday to mark 80 years since the Soviet Union's World War II victory over Nazi Germany. He said that the military support to Russia was based on a defense treaty signed between Pyongyang and Moscow last year.

He claimed North Korean troops are helping to “liberate” the Kursk region and described them as “heroes” of the war. Last month, North Korea officially admitted for the first time that its troops were fighting alongside Russian forces. South Korea’s spy agency estimates that about 15,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent to Russia, with more than 4,700 casualties reported.

Kim accused Ukraine of invading Russian land and warned that North Korea could use its military again if the U.S. and its allies attack Russia. He also threatened South Korea, calling its military a puppet of the United States and saying it could provoke a bigger conflict if it acts boldly.

Russia held a major Victory Day parade on Friday. Though foreign leaders like China’s President Xi Jinping attended, Kim did not travel to Moscow. Officials say security and travel issues may have kept him from attending.

North Korea’s military support for Russia adds new tensions to the global conflict and has drawn criticism from other nations watching the Ukraine war.