North Korea has opened a museum dedicated to mercenaries who fought on Russia's side in Ukraine.

North Korea has opened a memorial museum in Pyongyang dedicated to its soldiers who died fighting alongside Russian forces against Ukraine. This is further evidence of the close relationship between the two dictatorships, writes Al Jazeera.

The opening ceremony of the Memorial Museum of Military Exploits in Foreign Military Operations took place on April 26. It was timed to coincide with the first anniversary of what both countries call the completion of the operation to "liberate" the border region of Kursk Oblast from invading Ukrainian forces, the state news agency KCNA reported on Monday.

According to the agency, the ceremony was attended by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, as well as high-ranking Russian officials, including State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin and Defense Minister Andrei Belousov.

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According to South Korean intelligence estimates, North Korea sent approximately 15,000 troops to participate in the fighting in the Kursk region, of whom 2000 were killed. Moscow and Pyongyang have not released official figures.

During the ceremony, Kim Jong-un, according to KCNA, sprinkled earth on the remains of one of the fallen soldiers and laid flowers on the bodies of others, located in the funeral hall. He and Russian representatives then signed the visitors' book for the new museum.

In his speech, Kim stated that his fallen compatriots will remain a "symbol of the heroism of the Korean people" and will support the "victorious movement of the Korean and Russian peoples."

He accused the US and its allies of pursuing "hegemonic policies and military adventurism" in the context of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, but praised Russian and North Korean forces for resisting these moves.

According to KCNA, at a separate meeting with Belousov, Kim expressed his full support for Russia's policy of protecting its sovereignty and security interests. By "protecting sovereignty," the Korean dictator apparently means Russian aggression against the independent and sovereign state of Ukraine.

The Russian news agency TASS, citing Belousov, reported that Moscow is ready to sign a military cooperation plan with Pyongyang for 2027–2031.

In a letter read by Volodin, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the new museum would become a "visible symbol of friendship and solidarity" between the two countries and promised to further strengthen their "comprehensive strategic partnership."

Since the early days of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Kim Jong-un has significantly reoriented foreign policy toward Moscow, providing troops and conventional weapons in exchange for economic support and, possibly, access to modern technology, according to analysts.

South Korean authorities, the United States and their allies fear that Russia could transfer advanced technologies to Pyongyang that could enhance its nuclear and missile programs.

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Military experts note that North Korean units suffered significant losses in the Kursk region initially due to a lack of combat experience and unfamiliarity with the terrain. These factors made them vulnerable to Ukrainian drones and artillery.

However, according to Ukrainian military and intelligence estimates, North Korean forces subsequently gained important combat experience and became a significant element of Russian aggression in Ukraine.

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