Pyongyang, North Korea — July 2025
In a rare and emotional display, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was photographed weeping over the coffin of a soldier draped in the national flag—one of at least six reportedly killed in action while fighting alongside Russian forces in the ongoing war in Ukraine. The images, projected during a grand gala performance in Pyongyang last month, have sparked widespread attention and speculation over North Korea’s direct involvement in the conflict.
The event, held to commemorate the anniversary of a mutual defense pact signed by Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin, showcased a series of photographs depicting Kim mourning the fallen soldiers. He was shown throwing himself across a coffin, visibly distraught, as a row of caskets stood behind him, each adorned with the North Korean flag.
A Message of Military Brotherhood
The gala performance, attended by senior military officials and party elites, was as much a tribute as it was a statement. By publicly honoring the fallen and linking their sacrifice to the broader narrative of international struggle, Pyongyang sent a clear message of unwavering solidarity with Moscow.
While North Korea has long denied sending combat troops abroad, the images mark a significant departure from mere arms support to active human engagement in the war effort. Until now, international focus had largely centered on North Korea’s alleged shipments of artillery shells, ballistic missiles, and other military supplies to Russia.
Propaganda and Power
Analysts suggest that the images serve a dual purpose—both to stir patriotic sentiment among the North Korean public and to reinforce the regime’s portrayal of Kim as a caring and loyal commander. State media emphasized the “heroic sacrifice” of the soldiers, framing them as defenders of a just international order against what it called “Western imperialist aggression.”
“By showing Kim grieving, the regime is humanizing his leadership while reinforcing a narrative of shared destiny between North Korea and Russia,” said Dr. Soo-jin Park, a regional security analyst based in Seoul. “This also bolsters the legitimacy of the North Korea–Russia alliance in the eyes of domestic and allied audiences.”
Growing Military Ties Raise Alarms
The gala and its symbolism come amid increasing alarm in the West over the expanding military cooperation between the two pariah states. The defense pact signed in 2024 between Kim and Putin includes provisions for mutual support in the event of external aggression, a clause that now appears to carry very real and bloody consequences.
U.S. and NATO officials have condemned what they describe as an “emerging axis of authoritarian powers,” with North Korea’s reported combat losses raising concerns of escalation and broader international entanglements.
“We are witnessing a dangerous deepening of military coordination between Russia and North Korea,” a NATO spokesperson said. “The consequences of this alliance will not be confined to the battlefield in Ukraine.”
Conclusion
The visual tribute to fallen North Korean soldiers in Ukraine marks a turning point in Pyongyang’s posture—shifting from covert assistance to public declaration of its role in the war. It also underscores the evolving dynamics of global alliances, as autocratic powers increasingly band together in defiance of Western-led norms.
As the Ukraine war grinds on and Russia continues to seek international support, North Korea’s involvement may no longer be limited to the shadows. The cost of this alliance—for both its people and global stability—is becoming increasingly visible.