Kim Jong-un unveils memorial for North Korean soldiers in Russia’s Kursk battle

A rare ceremony in Pyongyang revives WWII history—and hints at modern alliances. Why this memorial matters beyond nostalgia.

, and Administrator

2025 November 9 . 9:15 PM

1 min read

In this picture, we see the missiles. At the bottom, we see the boards in white color. In the left... — In this picture, we see the missiles. At the bottom, we see the boards in white color. In the left bottom, we see a poster in red and grey color is pasted on the board. We see some text printed on the poster. At the top, it looks like the roof and it is in white color.

Kim Jong-un unveils memorial for North Korean soldiers in Russia’s Kursk battle

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attended a groundbreaking ceremony in Pyongyang for a memorial hall honouring soldiers who fought in Russia's Kursk campaign. The event, reported by Korean Central Television on Oct. 24, was attended by senior party, government, and military officials.

Kim Jong-un, dressed in a black suit, oversaw the ceremony at the Construction Site of the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum. He was joined by senior officials, including Choe Ryong-hae, the president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, and Kim Tok-hun, the premier of the Cabinet.

The memorial hall is set to commemorate North Korean soldiers who participated in the Battle of Kursk, a significant World War II engagement on the Eastern Front. The event highlights North Korea's historical ties with Russia and its military cooperation. Notably, while Russia has provided technical assistance to modernise North Korea's military, direct support for nuclear submarine development remains unclear. Meanwhile, South Korea benefits from US assistance for its own nuclear-powered submarine programme.

The ceremony underscores North Korea's military history and its geopolitical ties, particularly with Russia. Despite speculation, direct foreign support for North Korea's nuclear submarine development remains uncertain. Meanwhile, South Korea's nuclear submarine programme proceeds with US backing.