Footage of N. Korea's Kim mourning soldiers believed killed in Russia aimed at demanding rewards: Seoul

SEOUL, July 1 (Yonhap) -- TV footage showing North Korean leader Kim Jong-un mourning over the coffins of soldiers who were believed to be killed during the Russia-Ukraine war was partly aimed at demanding Moscow provide rewards for Pyongyang, Seoul's unification ministry said Tuesday.

North Korea's state media aired Monday footage of Kim honoring over the North's troops believed to have been killed during combat in Russia's western Kursk region against Ukraine.

The unification ministry said the North appeared to have held a repatriation ceremony to boost the morale of the military by showing respect to those who sacrificed their lives at a time when Pyongyang has decided to send more troops to support Russia's war.

"North Korea also seems to have aimed to promote internal solidarity as it is believed that there was some agitation from the people over the regime not disclosing the fact that it had sent troops," a ministry official told reporters on condition of anonymity.

North Korea airing images of Kim mourning over the deaths of the North's troops was seen as a message to Russia that says it wants corresponding rewards for the sacrifice, according to the official.

Since October last year, North Korea has so far sent around 15,000 troops to Russia to fight alongside Russian forces against Ukraine. In April, the North acknowledged the troop deployment for the first time.

North Korea is likely to send additional troops to Russia in July or August, South Korea's spy agency said in late June. Russia's media reported the North will send 5,000 military construction workers and 1,000 sappers to Kursk to support reconstruction efforts.

sooyeon@yna.co.kr
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