Marking the first anniversary of the end of the "Kursk liberation operation," North Korea completed a memorial hall in Pyongyang honoring troops who were dispatched and killed, and held a lavish opening ceremony. In front of senior Russian officials attending the ceremony, Kim Jong-un emphasized the solidity of North Korea-Russia ties and the resolve to strengthen the military alliance against the West's "injustice."
The Korean Central News Agency said on the 27th that the opening ceremony for the "Memorial Hall for Feats in Overseas Military Operations" was held the previous day with Kim Jong-un and Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of Russia's State Duma, and Andrey Belousov, Russia's defense minister, in attendance.
In his speech at the opening, the Chairperson said, "In this memorial hall, we have engraved a new history of Korea-Russia friendship written in blood and a new history of justice won with blood," adding, "This symbolizes the firmness of succession and our resolve." He said, "No matter how the rules of war change, no matter when and where a crisis arises, we must always be strengthened into a sincere, devoted and powerful bulwark that responds with united strength," noting that the peoples of both countries yearn for this. He added, "In front of the memorial hall, our determination for the future becomes even firmer."
The remark that North Korea and Russia must become a bulwark that "responds with united strength" to any crisis appears to again signal the intent to implement the upgraded North Korea-Russia military alliance treaty signed at the Pyongyang summit in June 2024 ("Treaty on a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership").
The Chairperson said the two countries "fought shoulder to shoulder in the same trench for peace and sovereignty, and achieved results of key significance in preventing the revival of fascism and crushing the war ambitions of hegemonic forces," adding that the "strategic significance" of the Kursk liberation operation is great.
He went on to praise that "the United States and the West's hegemonic designs and military adventurism were thwarted" by the valiant struggle of the Korean People's Army that fought shoulder to shoulder with the Russian military to repel and annihilate the invaders.
The Chairperson devoted considerable space to honoring the "loyalty" and dedication of the North Korean soldiers who took part, also noting "heroes who, to defend great honor, chose without hesitation the path of self-detonation and suicide," revealing that there were soldiers who blew themselves up on the battlefield.
In a letter read aloud by Speaker Volodin, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, "The matchless feats (of the North Korean troops) will remain forever in the hearts of all Russian citizens," adding, "I am confident we will continue, through joint efforts, to strengthen our comprehensive strategic partnership."