North Korea’s Kim views sculptures for memorial to soldiers killed in Ukraine

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has visited an art studio to oversee sculptures for a memorial dedicated to North Korean soldiers killed while fighting overseas, state media said, amid growing scrutiny of Pyongyang’s military role in Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The visit took place on Sunday at the Mansudae Art Studio in Pyongyang, where Kim instructed artists to create works that would “convey forever the legendary feats of admirable sons of the DPRK,” according to the official KCNA news agency.

Under a mutual defence pact with Russia, North Korea sent around 14,000 troops in 2024 to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, according to South Korean, Ukrainian and Western sources, with more than 6,000 of them believed to have been killed.

Kim has repeatedly praised the “heroism” of North Korean soldiers fighting abroad and has personally overseen efforts to honour them, including greeting and decorating returning troops and directing the construction of a memorial for the fallen.

The move comes as North Korea has initiated procedures to convene a key party congress expected to set out major policy goals for the next five years.

Analysts say the Ninth Party Congress of the ruling Workers’ Party is likely to be held early next month and could be accompanied by a large military parade, a traditional showcase of the country’s military capabilities.

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