North Korean Generals Return from Russia: A Sign of Negotiations with Ukraine?

North Korean Generals Return from Russia, Signaling Potential Negotiations with Ukraine

Pyongyang. High-ranking military commanders from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), who were directly involved in Russia's military actions against Ukraine, have made a triumphant return to the capital, Pyongyang. This significant move comes amidst intense international speculation and may signal a potential shift in the Kremlin's diplomatic strategy. According to a detailed analysis published in the prestigious American publication The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), the return of these commanders is a possible precursor to Russia's readiness to proceed with negotiations on the Ukrainian issue.

Heroes in Uniform, Awarded in Pyongyang

According to information from the DPRK's official state media — the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), more than ten senior army commanders returned from Russia by August 20. Their welcome was accompanied by a lavish ceremony where they were honored with state awards. The country's leader himself, Kim Jong Un, announced that the honors were being conferred for "participation in the liberation of the Kursk region of the Russian Federation".

In his celebratory speech, attended by high-ranking military and political figures, Kim Jong Un emphasized that this result has definitively "solidified for our army the glory and reputation of the most powerful military in the world". He added that "everyone gained a clear understanding of this", and emphatically stated: "Our army is fulfilling its duty and will continue to do so".

A KCNA statement notes that this is a historic moment for North Korea. For the first time in the nation's history, generals, officers, and soldiers who performed "immortal feats" have been presented with honors for their participation in foreign military operations. Among the recipients, the names of Colonel General Kim Yong Bok and Major General Shin Gum Chul stand out; they received personal thanks from Russian President Vladimir Putin during the Victory Parade in Moscow, the WSJ notes.

Diplomacy and Tactical Retreat

The return of the North Korean commanders coincides with a noticeable reduction in the active participation of North Korean military units in combat operations on Russian territory. According to North Korea expert Michael Madden from the Stimson Center in Washington, this move is a tactical maneuver aimed at "preventing complications in future negotiations with Ukraine". In a statement, Madden emphatically stressed:

North Korean military personnel should not become a bone of contention at the negotiating table.

An interesting fact is that, according to South Korean intelligence data, DPRK troops fought exclusively and only on the territory of Russia. This allows Moscow and Pyongyang to present their joint actions as strictly compliant with the provisions of the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, signed between the two states in 2024.

Chronology of Involvement and Announced Casualties

In the autumn of 2024, the DPRK sent about 15,000 military personnel to Russia. In April 2025, the Chief of the Russian General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, officially confirmed their participation in the battles in the Kursk region, citing the aforementioned treaty. It was then, for the first time, that public mourning ceremonies were held in Pyongyang in memory of fallen North Korean fighters. South Korean intelligence services estimated the total losses, including killed and wounded, at about 4,700 servicemen.

Despite the withdrawal of its military units, North Korea continues to play a key role in Russia's military efforts. The country continues to supply Russian troops with ammunition, while also sending thousands of workers, thereby supporting Moscow's economic and military machine.