Beijing (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – On Wednesday, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin thanked North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for DPRK soldiers’ valiant fight against Ukrainian defence forces, as both leaders met to begin bilateral discussions in Beijing.
A day before, the North Korean leader arrived in Beijing with his daughter. Today, he is participating in a multilateral diplomatic event on Wednesday, joining Chinese President Xi Jinping and Putin at a military parade in Beijing.
China organised a grand parade celebrating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, along with the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN.
After attending a military parade, the two leaders met formally at the Diaoyutai state guest house. “At your initiative, as is well known, your special forces participated in the liberation of the Kursk region,” the Russian president told Kim at a session in China. “Your soldiers fought courageously and heroically.”
Earlier this year, North Korean troops assisted Russia in expelling Ukrainian forces from the western Kursk region of Russia.
“I would like to note that we will never forget the sacrifices that your armed forces and the families of your servicemen have suffered,”
Putin said.
“On behalf of the Russian people, I would like to thank you for your participation in the joint fight,”
Putin said.
“I ask you to convey my warmest words of gratitude to all the people of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.”
How many soldiers has North Korea sent to assist Russia in Ukraine?
As indicated by the South Korean intelligence and several analytical methods, North Korea has sent an estimated 15000 troops to Russia since last year to assist Russia’s Ukraine invasion, including special forces and combat troops that originated from North Korea and were used in the invaded region, mainly in the close vicinity of the Kursk region.
North Korea confirmed the troops in April 2025. In addition, North Korea had sent Russia huge quantities of military hardware and ammunition, including more than 100 ballistic missiles and also millions of artillery shells, making up 40 % of Russia’s supply of ammunition available for the war in Ukraine.
When did both leaders last meet?
The last meeting between Putin and Kim took place on September 13, 2023, at the Vostochny Cosmodrome spaceport in Russia. During this meeting, they toured the spaceport and held talks that lasted for several hours, where Kim reiterated North Korea’s full and unconditional support for Russia.
