Kim Jong Un Promises "Beautiful Life" to Families of Fallen Soldiers in Ukraine

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged a "beautiful life" for the families of those who died fighting for Russia in the war against Ukraine. State media reported that Kim praised the families for the heroism of their deceased relatives.

Kim hosted the families of the fallen soldiers, expressing his sorrow for the loss of their loved ones who sacrificed their lives to defend the country's honor. According to KCNA, Kim acknowledged the soldiers' heroic actions were made possible by the strength and courage of their families, whom he described as "the most tenacious, patriotic and just people in the world."

Kim was quoted as saying that the soldiers likely entrusted their families to him. He promised to provide the families with a "beautiful life" in the country that was defended at the cost of the martyrs' lives. North Korean state television showed Kim bowing to the emotional family members during the event.

This meeting was the latest in a series of honors for the troops who suffered heavy casualties in Russia's Kursk region, which borders Ukraine. The deployment of North Korean troops was acknowledged by Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin in April, following months of silence.

State television aired a documentary that included footage of soldiers participating in "Operation Kursk Liberation" to drive Ukrainian troops from the Russian region. The film revealed that Kim made the decision to deploy troops to Russia last August, two months after he and Putin signed a security treaty that included a mutual defense pact.

Kim is scheduled to join Putin in China at a military parade next week. The two countries have not publicly disclosed the scale of the deployment or the casualties suffered by North Korean troops.