North Korean state television on Wednesday (August 22) released footage of leader Kim Jong Un presiding over a series of events honoring soldiers who were killed while fighting for Russia.

KRT broadcast showed Kim decorating troops of what it called the army’s “overseas operation,” bowing in tribute, and placing flowers at a wall lined with portraits of the fallen. He was also seen giving a hug to the children of a fallen soldier, his eyes appearing tearful.

In remarks carried by the state media, Kim referred to the “victorious conclusion” of the overseas operations, though it was unclear whether this indicated a withdrawal from the conflict.

The state media said an outdoor funeral ceremony for the troops was held on August 1, though it did not specify when the decoration ceremony and concert took place. Kim was seen attending the funeral at night, in a grand, solemn setting.

About 600 North Korean troops have been killed fighting for Russia against Ukraine out of a total deployment of 15,000, South Korean lawmakers said in April, citing the country's intelligence agency.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

NORTH KOREAN LEADER KIM JONG UN ATTENDING CEREMONY DECORATING SOLDIERS OF THE ARMY'S OVERSEAS OPERATION / KIM PAYING TRIBUTE TO FALLEN SOLDIERS

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: PYONGYANG, NORTH KOREA (AIRED AUGUST 22, 2025) (KRT - No use North Korea)

1. VARIOUS OF NORTH KOREAN LEADER KIM JONG UN AND OFFICIALS WALKING INTO CEREMONIAL VENUE

2. KIM AND OFFICIALS TAKING SEATS

3. SOLDIER WHO PARTICIPATED IN RUSSIA’S WAR WITH UKRAINE SALUTING WITH TEARY EYES

4. KIM WALKING UP TO STAGE

5. KIM DELIVERING SPEECH AND PAYING TRIBUTE / ATTENDEES STANDING

6. VARIOUS OF KIM AND ATTENDEES PAYING TRIBUTE

7. PICTURES OF DECEASED WAR VETERANS DISPLAYED ON MEMORIAL WALL

8. VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS AND ATTENDEES PAYING TRIBUTE

9. KIM SPEAKING

10. VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS LISTENING TO KIM’S SPEECH / CRYING

11. VARIOUS OF KIM PINNING MEDAL TO SOLDIER

12. KIM HUGGING SOLDIER

13. SOLDIERS APPLAUDING

14. KIM TALKING TO SOLDIER WHILE TOUCHING SOLDIER’S FACE

15. KIM PINNING MEDAL TO SOLDIER

16. VARIOUS OF BEREAVED FAMILIES CRYING WHILE APPLAUDING

17. KIM ATTACHING GOLDEN LETTERING OF NAME OF FALLEN SOLDIERS ON MEMORIAL WALL

18. KIM STANDING ON STAGE

19. VARIOUS OF KIM HUGGING CHILD / FAMILY MEMBERS CRYING

20. KIM AND PEOPLE BOWING TO ONE ANOTHER

21. KIM AND OFFICIALS LEAVING VENUE

22. EXTERIOR OF 4.25 HOUSE OF CULTURE

23. KIM WALKING INTO CONCERT VENUE / ATTENDEES CLAPPING

24. VARIOUS OF ATTENDEES INCLUDING BEREAVED FAMILIES APPLAUDING

25. KIM AND OFFICIALS TAKING THEIR SEATS

26. PERFORMERS ON STAGE FOR ART PERFORMANCE

27. KIM AND OFFICIALS APPLAUDING

28. VARIOUS OF MUSICAL PERFORMANCE

29. KIM AND OFFICIALS WATCHING PERFORMANCE

30. (NIGHT SHOT) GUARDS STANDING BETWEEN RED CARPET IN FRONT OF PLANE, WHICH IS REPORTED TO OCCUR ON AUGUST 22, 2025

31. (NIGHT SHOT) KIM HUGGING COMMANDER FILMED IN SLO-MOTION

32. (NIGHT SHOT) VARIOUS OF GUARDS CARRYING COFFINS FILMED IN SLOW MOTION

33. (NIGHT SHOT) KIM WATCHING COFFIN WITH TEARFUL-LOOKING FACE

34. (NIGHT SHOT) VARIOUS OF GUARDS HOLDING NORTH KOREAN FLAGS AND CARRYING COFFINS COVERED WITH NORTH KOREAN FLAGS

35. (NIGHT SHOT) KIM WATCHING COFFIN WITH TEARFUL-LOOKING FACE

36. (NIGHT SHOT) VARIOUS OF KIM AND OFFICIALS WALKING TOWARD COFFINS FILMED IN SLO-MOTION

37. (NIGHT SHOT) VARIOUS OF GUARDS AND SOLDIERS SALUTING AND KIM STANDING

38. LETTER ON RIBBON ATTACHED TO WREATH READING (Korean): “KIM JONG UN” / GUARDS STANDING

39. VARIOUS OF KIM AND OFFICIALS PAYING TRIBUTE

40. KIM LOOKING AT VEHICLES PASSING AND PAYING TRIBUTE

41. KIM LOOKING AT VEHICLES PASSING