Overview

• State media said Kim praised officers for leading units that took part in what Pyongyang calls operations to liberate Russia’s Kursk region and sent encouragement to personnel still deployed.
• A state commendation ceremony for generals, officers and soldiers who served overseas has been scheduled, which Seoul officials say would be the first of its kind.
• A South Korean intelligence assessment reports that North Korea has sent more than 10,000 troops to support Russia and indicates another deployment may be under consideration.
• Seoul estimates about 600 North Korean soldiers have been killed and thousands wounded while serving alongside Russian forces.
• KCNA photos showed senior General Staff figures, including vice chief Ri Chang-ho, at the meeting, and South Korea’s unification ministry says the event appears intended to justify the deployment and bolster morale.