Kim Jong-un appears to weep as he watches slide show of him draping flags over coffins of the troops he sent to die on Putin's meatgrinder frontline
North Korea 's leader Kim Jong Un appeared to weep while watching himself draping national flags over the coffins of what are believed to be North Korean soldiers killed while fighting for Russia in Ukraine.
Photographs broadcast during a gala show Kim standing beside six coffins, covering each with the North Korean flag.
He was also seen pausing briefly with both hands resting on the caskets in a moment of apparent reflection.
Kim appeared emotional during the ceremony - at some points, he even seemed tearful. Members of the audience can also be seen wiping away tears.
North Korean and Russian soldiers were seen waving their flags with patriotic notes written on them.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the gala was praised for inspiring confidence in the 'ties of friendship and the genuine internationalist obligation between the peoples and armies of the two countries that were forged at the cost of blood.'
The event was attended by Russian's culture minister Olga Lyubimov, who was in the country to lead a delegation to mark the first anniversary of the strategic partnership treaty.
Kim and Russian leader Vladimir Putin signed the deal, which includes a mutual defence pact, last year in June.
The agreement marked a major shift in North Korea's foreign policy, aligning itself even more closely with Moscow.
In exchange, Russia is believed to be providing North Korea with vital military technology, including assistance with missile guidance systems, satellite launches and air defence capabilities.
After months of speculation, the two leaders admitted earlier this year that North Korean troops were fighting for Russia.
They admitted that Kim's soldiers were instrumental in reclaiming the Kursk region in western Russia.
As part of ongoing cooperation, North Korea is now expected to send around 6,000 more personnel to Russia later this summer.
Although the two countries claim the personnel are being sent in to help rebuild war-torn areas such, South Korea and Japan have slammed the deal.
Officials in Seoul have expressed concern that it violates UN sanctions on North Korea.
Russia has denied any breach of international sanctions.
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Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
North Korean tyrant Kim Jong-un weeps over coffins of troops he sent to die in Putin's meatgrinder war in Ukraine
His apparent sorrow has not stopped him drawing up plans to send thousands more North Koreans to their deaths in Russia TEARS OF A TYRANT North Korean tyrant Kim Jong-un weeps over coffins of troops he sent to die in Putin's meatgrinder war in Ukraine KIM Jong-un wept as he watched himself back draping flags over the coffins of North Korean troops he sent to die on Putin's front-line in Ukraine. Around 12,000 North Koreans were shipped over to fight for Russia - but they were ill-prepared for the battlefield and many were decimated. 7 Kim Jong-un teared up as he watched back himself laying the North Korean flag over soldiers' coffins Credit: Reuters 7 The coffins are thought to contain the bodies of North Koreans killed while fighting for Russia in Ukraine Credit: X 7 Kim enters the ceremony with his daughter Kim Ju-ae, right, and Russian Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova, left Credit: AFP Kim hosted a ceremony which remembered the soldiers taken out by Zelensky's brave army - and things got emotional for the tyrant. Thousands of North Koreans stood to attention in the vast auditorium, with Kim in the front row. Images of Kim draping the North Korean flag over soldiers' coffins were broadcast on a giant screen at the front while a huge orchestra played emotional music. Women in long dresses sang passionately and there was even a harp player stationed on the stage. READ MORE IN WORLD NEWS STEWARDESS HORROR Flight attendant dies in plunge from balcony in mysterious circumstances Kim draped flags over at least six coffins, and could be seen resting his hands on them in reflection. Watching the scenes back, the dictator's eyes shone with emotion. Other members of the audience - which reportedly included North Korean and Russian soldiers - were also visibly moved. The state-run Korea Central News Agency hailed the gala for reaffirming the "ties of friendship and the genuine internationalist obligation between the peoples and armies of the two countries that were forged at the cost of blood. The event was attended by Russia's culture minster Olga Lyubimov, who was visiting the Hermit Kingdom to mark the first anniversary of the strategic partnership treaty. Signed last June by Putin and Kim, it included a mutual defence pact - guaranteeing they will protect one another. North Korea's 'Benidorm' to FINALLY open next week as tyrant Kim Jong-Un cuts ribbon - and Brits have signed up to visit The treaty is believed to have majorly ramped up co-operation between the nations. Moscow is understood to be providing Pyongyang with vital military technology - including blueprints for missile guidance systems and air defence weapons. And after months of speculation, the leaders finally admitted that North Korean troops had fought for Russia. Kim's men were first reported to be in Russia back in October, and the following month there was strong evidence of them on the battlefield. 7 Kim seemed moved by the sacrifices of his troops Credit: X 7 The military ceremony was a pompous affair complete with a choir and orchestra Credit: EPA 7 The event marked a year since North Korea and Russia signed a mutual defence agreement Credit: AFP They fought alongside Putin's men mainly in the Kursk region - an area of Russia which Ukraine took in a surprise incursion. Thousands of the North Koreans died, with analysts suggesting they were not prepared for the modern style of drone warfare. However, it was admitted that the Korean soldiers were ultimately instrumental in Russia winning back the land in March this year. As the rotten partnership blooms, North Korea is expected to send another 6,000 troops over to Russia later this summer. The military assistance has been slammed by concerned nations, including South Korea and Japan. Officials in Seoul have raised concerns that it violates UN sanctions on North Korea.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
North Korean tyrant Kim Jong-un weeps over coffins of troops he sent to die in Putin's meatgrinder war in Ukraine
KIM Jong-un wept as he watched himself back draping flags over the coffins of North Korean troops he sent to die on Putin's front-line in Ukraine. Around 12,000 North Koreans were shipped over to fight for Russia - but they were ill-prepared for the battlefield and many were decimated. 7 7 7 Kim hosted a ceremony which remembered the soldiers taken out by Zelensky's brave army - and things got emotional for the tyrant. Thousands of North Koreans stood to attention in the vast auditorium, with Kim in the front row. Images of Kim draping the North Korean flag over soldiers' coffins were broadcast on a giant screen at the front while a huge orchestra played emotional music. Women in long dresses sang passionately and there was even a harp player stationed on the stage. Kim draped flags over at least six coffins, and could be seen resting his hands on them in reflection. Watching the scenes back, the dictator's eyes shone with emotion. Other members of the audience - which reportedly included North Korean and Russian soldiers - were also visibly moved. The state-run Korea Central News Agency hailed the gala for reaffirming the "ties of friendship and the genuine internationalist obligation between the peoples and armies of the two countries that were forged at the cost of blood. The event was attended by Russia's culture minster Olga Lyubimov, who was visiting the Hermit Kingdom to mark the first anniversary of the strategic partnership treaty. Signed last June by Putin and Kim, it included a mutual defence pact - guaranteeing they will protect one another. North Korea's 'Benidorm' to FINALLY open next week as tyrant Kim Jong-Un cuts ribbon - and Brits have signed up to visit The treaty is believed to have majorly ramped up co-operation between the nations. Moscow is understood to be providing Pyongyang with vital military technology - including blueprints for missile guidance systems and air defence weapons. And after months of speculation, the leaders finally admitted that North Korean troops had fought for Russia. Kim's men were first reported to be in Russia back in October, and the following month there was strong evidence of them on the battlefield. 7 7 7 They fought alongside Putin's men mainly in the Kursk region - an area of Russia which Ukraine took in a surprise incursion. Thousands of the North Koreans died, with analysts suggesting they were not prepared for the modern style of drone warfare. However, it was admitted that the Korean soldiers were ultimately instrumental in Russia winning back the land in March this year. As the rotten partnership blooms, North Korea is expected to send another 6,000 troops over to Russia later this summer. The military assistance has been slammed by concerned nations, including South Korea and Japan. Officials in Seoul have raised concerns that it violates UN sanctions on North Korea. 7
Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Telegraph
When the Devil drives: Ukraine will deploy a truly horrible weapon
The decision by Ukraine to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, known as the Mine Ban Treaty, comes as no surprise given the gravity of the situation that the embattled Ukrainians find themselves in in this third year of all-out war. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine there has been constant domestic pressure on the government and on President Zelensky to withdraw from the treaty, mainly for protective pragmatic reasons and in light of the fact that Russia is not a signatory to the treaty and is a prolific user of landmines. The treaty of 1997 bans the use, production, stockpiling or transfer of anti-personnel landmines (APLs). It further requires signatory nations to destroy stockpiles and to clear laid minefields. Ukraine ratified the treaty in 2005. It is a fact that APLs are horrible things. They do not only maim and kill soldiers, but anyone who may approach including children and other non-combatants. They are extremely difficult and dangerous to clear up, and often render stretches of land unusable for many years. But they are extremely effective, particularly as a means of defence against an attacker. In the face of the widespread use of mines by Russia since 2014 and especially post 2022, when Ukraine has been engaged in full-scale war with Russia, it increasingly looks nonsensical to have this significant disadvantage – designed for a world where the rules of the international order are followed by all sides and therefore a world that simply does not exist. The invasion by Russia has seen the increased use of mines of all sorts, though the use of anti-personnel mines by Ukraine has drawn scrutiny due to treaty obligations. Ukrainian officials and military have floated the idea of leaving or suspending the treaty citing the need to defend territory more effectively, asymmetry in military tools and tactics between Ukraine and Russia and the fact that whilst Ukraine adheres to the treaty the aggressor faces no such limitations in what, for Ukraine, is an existential war. It comes at a time when Russia's near neighbours in Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Finland have withdrawn from the treaty this year, once again citing the fact that Russia has no such restrictions and learning the lesson of the surprise invasion of February 2022. The fighting in Ukraine has also shown just how easy it is to clear anti-tank mines – which are allowed under the Treaty – when these are not mixed with APLs. The move is likely to be seen as a pragmatic move and looking to the USA – which is also not a signatory to the treaty but maintains a voluntary non-use outside of the Korean Peninsula – it is not ultimately one that should not upset too many of Ukraine's backers. The danger is that from a humanitarian, legal, and diplomatic standpoint, withdrawal would be controversial and potentially damaging. That said – if your country no longer exists would that matter? Needs must when the Devil drives, I believe.
