North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appeared with his daughter, Kim Ju-ae, at a grand New Year's celebration. He delivered a speech praising the achievements of 2025 and sent a transcontinental message to North Korean soldiers fighting in Ukraine, describing their actions as defending the nation's honor and forging an unbreakable alliance with Russia amid reports of heavy battlefield losses.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim Jong Un, the supreme leader of North Korea, attended the New Year festival at the May Day Stadium in Pyongyang, amid displays of fireworks, patriotic songs, and spectacular Taekwondo demonstrations.
A key highlight attracting attention was the appearance of Kim Ju-ae, believed to be the likely heir. State media showed her sitting beside her father, holding hands, and warmly embracing children at the event. Analysts view this as reinforcing the "Paektu bloodline" image to the public ahead of the 9th Workers' Party Congress in early 2026, which will set the country's direction for the next five years.
In his New Year speech, Kim Jong Un referred to North Korean soldiers sent to assist Russia in the Ukraine war, praising them as builders of an "invincible alliance." He sent words of encouragement to the troops on the battlefield:
"While the whole country is in a festive mood, I think even more of you bravely fighting on foreign soil... Behind you are Pyongyang and Moscow."
Kim urged the soldiers to fight for their "Russian brothers" and hinted that 2026 would bring further great successes on foreign battlefields.
Although the images presented by state media appeared spirited, analysts and Western intelligence highlight a different reality. It is estimated that North Korea has sent tens of thousands of troops to Russia, with at least 600 reported dead and several thousand wounded.
Additionally, South Korean intelligence revealed shocking information that North Korean soldiers were ordered to "commit suicide" rather than be captured. However, at least two North Korean soldiers captured by Ukraine in early 2025 have reportedly expressed a desire to defect to South Korea.
Experts from the Far East Institute at Kyungnam University stated that sending troops to Russia has effectively become an "official national defense policy," exchanged for financial aid, military technology, food, and energy from Russia. This support enables Kim's regime to continue disregarding pressure from the U.S. and South Korea.
. SourceReuters