Why North Korea glorifies its soldiers' deaths in Ukraine | DW News

Key Concepts

• North Korean Military Support to Russia: Deployment of approximately 14,000 North Korean soldiers to support Russia in the Ukraine war.
• Propaganda & Glorification of Fallen Soldiers: North Korea’s increasing focus on commemorating and celebrating soldiers killed or wounded in Ukraine, utilizing this as a tool for domestic unity and justification of involvement.
• Mutual Defense Pact: The basis for North Korea’s deployment, a pact existing between Pyongyang and Moscow.
• Strategic Investment: North Korea views its support for Russia as a long-term investment in security assurances and technological advancements.
• Modern Combat Experience & Technical Support: Benefits gained by North Korea through its soldiers’ deployment, including practical combat experience and access to Russian military technology.

North Korea’s Increasing Glorification of Soldiers Deployed to Ukraine

Recent developments in North Korea demonstrate a significant shift in messaging, centering around the glorification of soldiers who have died fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine. This is manifested through public celebrations, the creation of monumental artworks, and the construction of a new housing complex specifically for the families of troops killed in battle. This shift aims to convey the message that the sacrifices of these soldiers will not be forgotten.

Deployment Details & Casualties

In 2024, Pyongyang deployed an estimated 14,000 soldiers to Russia to support its war efforts in Ukraine, operating under a pre-existing mutual defense pact with Moscow. South Korean intelligence estimates that approximately 6,000 North Korean troops have been killed or wounded during their deployment. A portion of these soldiers have even been captured as prisoners of war by Ukrainian forces. Initially, both North Korea and Russia denied reports of troop deployment. However, in April 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly acknowledged and thanked North Korean soldiers for their assistance in defending the Kursk region against Ukrainian forces.

Propaganda Strategy & Domestic Unity

North Korea has moved beyond simply acknowledging its involvement to actively utilizing the losses suffered in Ukraine as a central theme in its propaganda. As stated by an unnamed source, “They use this death as sort of, you know, uh actually as an opportunity to solidify the country's unity.” Kim Jong-un has been prominently featured in state media hugging wounded soldiers and attending emotionally charged commemorations for the fallen. The inauguration of the new housing district in Pyongyang, attended by Kim Jong-un and his daughter, is interpreted by experts as an attempt to humanize his leadership. During the ceremony, Kim Jong-un referred to the soldiers as “young martyrs who sacrificed all to their motherland.”

Justification of Involvement & Framing the Conflict

North Korean propaganda is actively attempting to justify its participation in a foreign conflict. The narrative being constructed frames the war as being relevant to North Korea’s own defense. The messaging emphasizes that “if Russia falls then then we are the next,” and positions the conflict as a struggle against North Korea’s “eternal enemies” – South Korea, the United States, and Japan – due to their support for Ukraine. This framing attempts to make the war feel more directly connected to North Korean national interests.

Strategic Benefits & Future Expectations

Sending troops to fight in Ukraine has yielded several benefits for North Korea. South Korea’s intelligence agency reports that North Korean forces are gaining valuable modern combat experience and receiving Russian technical support to enhance their weapons systems. Beyond these immediate gains, North Korea views its contribution to Russia’s war as a strategic investment in its future security. The propaganda campaign is directed not only at the North Korean population but also at the Kremlin, signaling Pyongyang’s expectations. As articulated, the underlying message is, “Hey we sacrificed this much for you now you are indebted to [us].” North Korea anticipates receiving some form of security assurance from Russia in the future as a result of its support.

Technical Terms:

• Mutual Defense Pact: A treaty between two or more countries where each agrees to support the others if attacked.
• Propaganda: Information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a political cause or point of view.
• Kremlin: A metonym for the government of Russia.