By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Kim Jong Un held a public commemoration for North Korean troops who died fighting in support of Russia’s war in Ukraine, likely preparing the population for further deployments. This commemoration occurred at a gala performance, featuring a video of Kim mourning soldiers and draping coffins with the national flag. The event marked the first anniversary of the mutual defense pact between North Korea and Russia, a pact that has seen significant military and munitions exchanges. Experts believe this display aims to garner support for deployments while bracing the public for future involvement, as evidenced by North Korea’s deployment of approximately 15,000 troops and plans for further military personnel.
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Kim Jong Un Publicly Mourns Troops Killed Fighting for Russia for First Time, and the news, as it stands, has sent ripples of skepticism and cynicism across the internet. The very notion of Kim Jong Un, the notoriously ruthless leader of North Korea, publicly mourning his troops who died fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine seems to fly in the face of everything we think we know about his regime. It’s a narrative that, understandably, prompts questions more than it offers comforting answers.
The central theme here, undoubtedly, is propaganda. The general consensus, reflected in many reactions, is that this act, if it happened, is less about genuine grief and more about bolstering the regime’s image. It is a calculated move, a performance designed to manipulate the emotions of the North Korean people and perhaps to further cement their loyalty to the “Supreme Leader.” After all, if Kim Jong Un, the man known for his iron fist, can display such apparent compassion, imagine the lengths he would go to for his citizens.
The comments often bring up the idea of expendability, and it’s easy to see why. Considering the human rights record of North Korea and the lack of individual value placed on human life within the country, the soldiers sent to fight in Ukraine are seen by many as simply cannon fodder. Their deaths, tragically, are viewed as a means to an end – a transaction to gain money, influence, or some other strategic advantage for the regime. The juxtaposition of the alleged mourning with the known brutality of the Kim regime is jarring, and this contrast fuels the skepticism.
Furthermore, the act of mourning is not viewed as a genuine expression of remorse. It’s seen as an attempt to drive up nationalist sentiment. The focus shifts from the soldiers themselves to how this supposed display serves the goals of the regime. The public mourning becomes a tool to be employed as the next round of deployments is planned.
The economic aspect also comes up, and that can’t be ignored. It is generally accepted that North Korea provides soldiers in exchange for support. The fact that North Korea has seemingly sold its soldiers to Russia for some sort of support is even more disheartening. The troops were just a tool, as it appears.
It’s also worth noting the context of these events, and the timing is crucial to any understanding. If, as has been suggested, there are indeed luxury bags and Cartier bracelets, that just strengthens the narrative that the regime doesn’t care about its people.
The idea of performative grief also plays a role in all of this. Many see this public display as a “show,” a carefully orchestrated performance designed to portray Kim Jong Un as a caring leader, rather than the authoritarian figure he is known to be. It is designed to tug at the heartstrings of the North Korean population, while masking the true cost of his actions and the value that the state places on human life.
There is also the question of authenticity. The idea of a large crowd, wailing and throwing themselves on the ground in grief, is met with derision. Many compare it to the displays of grief that occurred when Kim Jong Un’s father died, further solidifying the sense of it being an act, a carefully choreographed event rather than a spontaneous expression of sorrow.
This, ultimately, is a story about cynicism. It’s about a world where propaganda reigns supreme, where appearances are prioritized over reality, and where human lives are, tragically, often reduced to mere pawns in a larger political game. The fact that this story has come to light indicates a certain reality.