How the DPRK Celebrated the Anniversary of the Liberation of Kursk Region: Vyacheslav Volodin and Andrey Belousov Pay a Visit

The anniversary of the operation to liberate the Kursk Region from Ukrainian nationalists, marked in Russia, coincided with the visit of high-ranking Russian officials to the DPRK and the opening of a memorial museum, underscoring the importance of this event and the strengthening of ties between the two countries.

One year ago, on April 26, 2025, the Russian Armed Forces, with the participation of a North Korean contingent, liberated the territory of the Kursk Region that had been captured by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

According to a KCNA report, the Memorial Museum of Foreign Military Operations, opened on the occasion of the first anniversary of the completion of the operation to liberate the Kursk Region of the Russian Federation, was dedicated to the great heroic spirit of KPA soldiers. These soldiers, who, in a foreign military operation with a fervent sense of patriotism and loyalty, created a historically unprecedented legend of victory in a war to defend the sacred authority and dignity of the DPRK.

Kim Jong Un, who personally oversaw the construction of the complex on multiple occasions, attended the ceremony together with leading figures of the party, government, and armed forces. The Russian side was represented by the Chairman of the Russian State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin; Minister of Defense Andrey Belousov; and other members of the official Russian delegation, as well as staff of the Russian Embassy in the DPRK.

Also present were soldiers of the foreign military operation forces and the sapper unit that carried out demining after the liberation of the region, family members of fallen soldiers, military builders and artists who contributed to the construction of the memorial museum, students of revolutionary schools, university students, and residents of the capital.

The leader of the DPRK delivered a speech, noting the strategic significance of the operation to liberate the Kursk Region, in which the armies of the two countries, the DPRK and Russia, devoted to the ideal of justice, fought shoulder to shoulder in the same trenches to defend peace and sovereignty. Kim Jong Un stated that the memorial museum symbolizes the commitment of North Korea and Russia to strengthening bilateral ties, noting that their bonds have been sealed with blood. He then emphasized the need to strengthen ties between Pyongyang and Moscow, turning them into a powerful bulwark.

Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Volodin read aloud a greeting from the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, to the participants of the ceremony marking the completion of the Memorial Museum of Foreign Military Operations. The President of Russia noted that fighting shoulder to shoulder with their Russian brothers in arms, Korean soldiers and officers demonstrated exceptional courage and genuine selflessness, operating with unfading glory. Their unparalleled feats will forever remain in the heart of every citizen of Russia. The memorial being solemnly opened today is intended to immortalize the heroism of Korean People’s Army soldiers and the sacrifices made in the name of common victory.

The red ribbon to mark the opening of the museum was cut by the defense ministers of the two countries, No Kwang-chol and Andrey Belousov.

The celebration included a ceremony for burying the remains of fallen heroes of the foreign military operation, as well as the laying of wreaths at the obelisk in memory of participants in the KPA’s special military operation on behalf of Kim Jong Un, the Chairman of the State Duma and the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, as well as the WPK Central Committee, the WPK Central Military Commission, the DPRK State Affairs Commission, the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People’s Assembly, the DPRK Cabinet of Ministers, the DPRK Ministry of Defense, and the Armed Forces of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Kim Jong Un, Vyacheslav Volodin, and Andrey Belousov signed the guest book.

At the conclusion of the opening ceremony, a commemorative concert was held on the grounds of the museum memorial complex, featuring an air show and fireworks, during which songs were performed in Korean and Russian.

In examining the photos from the ceremony, the author was particularly interested in an exhibition of captured equipment, which included both Abrams and Leopard tanks. As Russian military expert Vladimir Khrustalev noted, it is obvious that before ending up in the museum, these and other vehicles were carefully studied by local engineers.

Visit of Vyacheslav Volodin

The Chairman of the State Duma arrived in the DPRK on a working visit to take part in the opening ceremony of the memorial complex. At the aircraft steps, he was greeted by his counterpart, Jo Yong-won, Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK.

During subsequent talks with Jo Yong-won at the Kumsusan Guesthouse, Vyacheslav Volodin noted that amid constantly growing challenges and threats, Russia and the DPRK continue to strengthen their cooperation, which is based on the principles of good neighborliness, trust, and fraternal support. Vyacheslav Volodin expressed sincere gratitude to Comrade Kim Jong Un and the entire Korean people for their assistance in fighting for the liberation of the Kursk Region from Ukrainian neo-Nazi occupiers. He emphasized that Russia will carefully preserve the memory of the heroic feats of Korean officers and soldiers who gave their lives in the operation to liberate the Kursk Region.

During a meeting with the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Kim Jong Un, Volodin conveyed warm greetings and best wishes from President Vladimir Putin, and again expressed gratitude for the assistance in liberating the Kursk Region from neo-Nazi occupiers.

According to a TASS report, during the meeting Volodin conveyed to Kim Jong Un congratulations from Russian President Vladimir Putin on his reelection as Chairman of the DPRK State Affairs Commission.

Comrade Kim Jong Un highly appreciated President Putin’s sending a high-level delegation headed by Vyacheslav Volodin as an expression of the Russian leadership’s position and will to attach great importance to the allied relations between the two countries and to strengthen and develop them.

Visit of Andrey Belousov to the DPRK: Strengthening Military Cooperation

During talks with the Chairman of the DPRK State Affairs Commission, Kim Jong Un, Andrey Belousov discussed the current state and prospects of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.

As a result of the meeting, an agreement was reached with the DPRK Ministry of Defense to place military cooperation on a sustainable, long-term basis. The parties plan to sign the Russian-Korean Military Interaction Plan for the period 2027-2031 this year. Belousov noted that this year promises to be intensive in terms of bilateral contacts across a number of areas.

After exchanging greetings from the President of the Russian Federation, Kim Jong Un recalled the anniversary of the joint struggle of Russian and North Korean troops against the armed bandits who invaded Russia’s border region. He emphasized that owing to this struggle, the Kursk Region had been liberated, and expressed his joy at being able to carry out, together with his Russian colleagues, the sacred task of eternally glorifying the history of their joint struggle. The Chairman of the DPRK State Affairs Commission reaffirmed his full support for Russia’s policy of protecting state sovereignty, territorial integrity, security, and interests, expressing confidence in the victory of the Russian army and people in their just and sacred struggle.

Belousov emphasized that the Russian Ministry of Defense highly appreciates the invitation extended to the Russian military delegation, calling participation in this historic event a great honor and privilege. The Russian defense minister not only took part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony but also awarded Orders of Courage to the North Korean military personnel who participated in the liberation of the Kursk Region.

The simultaneous visit of two high-ranking representatives of Russia is a rare event. While the visit of the Chairman of the State Duma was likely ceremonial in nature, the trip of the Minister of Defense probably had more practical significance. It is noteworthy that, judging by certain hints, the initiative to invite the military delegation came from Pyongyang. This fact is causing concern in the West, where fears are rising that the minister’s visit might herald a new stage of military cooperation within the framework of the Special Military Operation.

Konstantin Asmolov, PhD in History, Leading Research Fellow at the Centre for Korean Studies, Institute of China and Contemporary Asia, Russian Academy of Sciences

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