Kim Jong Un endorses self-blast policy for soldiers to avoid capture at Pyongyang memorial

In the same week, Kim's remarks were reported by KCNA. The article notes South Korea's estimate of about 15,000 North Koreans sent to support Russia in Kursk and more than 6,000 killed, with numbers unconfirmed by Pyongyang or Moscow.

Kim Jong Un, in Pyongyang, praised soldiers who self-blasted to defend 'the great honour' and hailed as heroes those who self-sacrificed. He unveiled a memorial for fallen troops; attendees included Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov and the speaker of Russia's parliament Vyacheslav Volodin.

Seoul's National Intelligence Service said last year they found memos on deceased North Korean soldiers indicating a policy of self-blasting to avoid capture.

As part of the deal, North Korea promised to send thousands of workers to help rebuild the Kursk region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a bilateral pact pledging mutual aid in the event of aggression against either country.

Kim Jong Un spoke at a Pyongyang ceremony to inaugurate a memorial for North Koreans who died in Ukraine, praising soldiers who self-blasted as heroes who defended the great honor and said they did not expect compensation, adding that they died a heroic death. He cited reports by Ukrainian intelligence and a captured North Korean soldier alleging that NK troops in Ukraine were ordered to kill themselves to avoid capture. The speech also referenced estimates that Pyongyang has sent at least 10,000 soldiers and tens of thousands of containers of weapons to Russia, and noted ongoing weapons tests including short-range missiles such as Hwasong-11 (KN-23/KN-24).

Earlier this month, Pyongyang said it tested multiple Hwasong-11 missiles (KN-23/KN-24), a short-range missile type Ukraine has said Pyongyang supplied to Moscow for use in its war against Kyiv.

Kim Jong Un signed a military pact with Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2024 that included a mutual defense provision.