North Korea has confirmed it sent troops to help Russia fight in Ukraine.
The confirmation came from the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on April 28.
KCNA said North Korean soldiers joined Russian forces to retake the Kursk border region.
This was done on the orders of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
It’s unclear if the troops will return home after their mission ends.
Russian Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov had already praised North Korean soldiers’ bravery.
This was the first time Russia openly acknowledged North Korea’s role in the war.
The BBC reported around 11,000 North Korean troops were sent to Ukraine.
Over 1,000 are believed to have died in three months.
Russia has regained full control of the Kursk region, but Ukraine denies this.
The US quickly condemned North Korea.
The US said North Korea must be held accountable for making the war longer and worse.
South Korean and Western intelligence had previously reported North Korea sent many troops to Kursk.
This happened after Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a mutual defense agreement.
The agreement promises both countries will support each other if attacked.
