Seoul (AFP) – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accompanied by his daughter, inaugurated a street of apartments for the families of soldiers killed fighting alongside Russia against Ukraine, Pyongyang's official news agency reported Monday.

Published on: 02/16/2026 - 11:03

North Korea has sent thousands of troops to fight alongside Moscow in its war to invade Ukraine, launched almost four years ago, according to South Korean and Western intelligence agencies. According to Seoul, at least 2,000 were killed.

“Before their deaths, the heroic martyrs must have imagined in their minds their dear families living in a still prosperous country,” Mr. Kim said on Sunday in a speech marking the inauguration of the new street, according to KCNA.

Photos released by the agency show the executive visiting the new homes, alongside his daughter Ju Ae.

The teenager was clearly "designated as successor", South Korean intelligence said last week, citing her participation in high-profile events with her father.

The visit comes ahead of Pyongyang's biggest political event, the party congress, which is due to be held later this month, although the exact date has not been announced.

All eyes should be on the directions Kim Jong Un will announce on foreign and domestic policy, as well as a possible official party title for Ju Ae.

The timing of the street inauguration is "a highly considered political maneuver to justify the deployment of soldiers" before the party congress, Hong Min, an analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, told AFP.

“This helps show that the State offers concrete compensation to the families of fallen soldiers (...) in a symbolic demonstration,” he said.

In return for sending soldiers, Russia sends North Korea financial aid, military technology and food and energy supplies, analysts say.

© 2026 AFP

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