SEOUL, Sept 10 - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un used state celebrations for the country's 78th founding anniversary to express formal thanks to workers and members of the armed forces, according to state media coverage. In remarks delivered at Pyongyang's assembly hall on Wednesday, Kim praised the contributions of both workers and soldiers to the state and singled out for what the report described as "special gratitude and respect" the commanders and soldiers "participating in overseas military operations."
The reference to troops "participating in overseas military operations" is likely an allusion to North Korean forces that have reportedly been sent to fight alongside Russian units in the conflict in Ukraine. Western and South Korean officials have estimated that approximately 14,000 to 15,000 North Korean troops were deployed for that purpose beginning in late 2024.
Casualty estimates tied to those deployments have been offered by South Korean authorities. In February 2026, South Korea's National Intelligence Service estimated that roughly 6,000 North Korean soldiers had been killed or wounded in the fighting. The casualty figure was cited as part of intelligence assessments reported by South Korean agencies.
Separately, South Korea's Defence Ministry reported in late August that Pyongyang was continuing preparations for an additional troop deployment to Russia, while noting there were no indications at that time that a new deployment was imminent. The statement indicated ongoing planning activity, but provided no timeline or confirmation of movement.
South Korean intelligence assessments also conclude that, in exchange for sending troops and munitions, North Korea has received economic assistance and military technology assistance from Russia. Those assessments frame the bilateral exchanges as part of the broader context surrounding the deployments; they do not specify quantities or technical details.
The remarks from Kim at the anniversary ceremonies thus publicly recognized personnel tied to overseas operations, while external intelligence and defence agencies provide the numerical estimates and assessments on casualties, ongoing preparations, and reciprocal assistance.