Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has extended special thanks to troops involved in overseas military operations and urged North Koreans to advance the country's development through patriotism, as reported by state media on Thursday. Kim's remarks were made during a ceremony marking the 78th anniversary of North Korea's founding, held in Pyongyang the previous day, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim expressed gratitude to workers, service personnel, and overseas compatriots' organizations and gave "special thanks and high tribute" to the commanding officers and soldiers engaged in overseas military operations. He highlighted the significance of patriotism and the role of the North Korean people in the nation's progress. "Our ideal is being realized rapidly thanks to patriotism, voluntary service, and devoted contributions by all citizens praying for the country's prosperity, and our fighting morale for reaching the goal has also been greatly boosted," Kim stated.
South Korea estimates that since 2024, North Korea has deployed more than 16,000 troops to Russia, with many reportedly becoming casualties. This deployment came after a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed by Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin in June 2024, under which North Korea has also provided conventional weapons to support Russia's conflict with Ukraine.
Kim further praised the "righteous minds and efforts" of those who love and serve the country, calling them "the pillars of irresistible might" that underpin North Korea's current development. He urged the ruling Workers' Party of Korea and the government to take on greater responsibility and make substantial progress. During the ceremony, Kim and other participants, including senior party, government, and military officials, held red scarves and took an oath of loyalty to the socialist system and the regime.
Kim also met with representatives from various sectors, such as labor innovators and meritorious individuals, and posed for commemorative photos with them, as reported by the KCNA. Notably, unlike in the previous two years, Kim's speech did not address the outside world, and North Korea did not release the full text of his speech. Seoul's unification ministry described this as an "unusual move."
"North Korea appears to have been using its founding anniversary to project the image of a 'normal state' by holding such events as the national flag-hoisting ceremony and a central commemorative meeting, while fostering patriotism among its people and strengthening internal unity," a ministry official stated. The absence of a clear message to the international community might indicate Pyongyang's cautious approach amid a changing external environment and uncertainties, sources suggest.