North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has praised his military forces currently deployed in an “alien land,” signaling a hardening stance in Pyongyang’s military intervention alongside Russia. In a rare New Year’s address, Kim characterized the deployment as part of an “invincible alliance” with Moscow, marking a significant official acknowledgement of the North’s participation in the conflict. While the message avoided naming Ukraine directly, the leader specifically addressed personnel within what state media describes as “overseas operations units,” congratulating them on their efforts to defend the nation’s honor.
Why It Matters
The deployment represents one of the most significant shifts in global geopolitics since the start of the war, marking the first time a third party has sent large-scale ground troops to support Russia’s invasion. The move is formalized under a mutual defense treaty signed between the two nations in 2024. In exchange for boots on the ground, analysts suggest North Korea is receiving critical financial aid, advanced military technology, and essential food and energy supplies to stabilize its own economy.
What to Know
According to reports from the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim sent his new year greetings to all the commanding officers and combatants stationed abroad, stating that “Pyongyang and Moscow” stand behind them. This follows a June meeting between Kim and Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, where Kim reaffirmed “unconditional support” for Russia’s foreign policies.
While Pyongyang maintains a celebratory tone, Western and South Korean intelligence agencies paint a grimmer picture of the deployment’s cost. Estimates suggest that at least 600 North Korean soldiers have died in combat, with thousands more sustained injuries. Many of these troops were reportedly sent to the Kursk region to help Russian forces counter a surprise Ukrainian incursion. Reports from South Korean intelligence also indicate that North Korean soldiers are under strict orders to kill themselves rather than face capture as prisoners of war.
What People are Saying
The human cost of the alliance has begun to surface through accounts from the front lines. In December, a letter surfaced from two North Korean prisoners of war held by Ukraine who expressed a desire to defect to South Korea. The men, who had been in captivity since January 2025 after being wounded, described the prospect of moving to the South as the “beginning of a new life,” thanking those working on their behalf.
Conversely, Kim Jong Un continues to frame the mission as a heroic endeavor “for the fraternal Russian people.” In his message to the troops, he emphasized that their presence on “overseas battlefields” makes the alliance grow firmer, calling them a “strong pillar” of the North Korean state.
What Happens Next
As 2026 begins, the alliance between North Korea and Russia appears to be deepening rather than tapering off. Kim has expressed his desire for a “warm reunion” with the troops, though he has not provided a timeline for their return. Observers will be watching closely to see if the North increases its troop presence or if the rising casualty count and potential for further defections create internal friction within the North Korean military command. For now, the “invincible alliance” remains a cornerstone of Pyongyang’s strategy to break its international isolation.
