SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un praised “heroic” North Korean troops who fought for Russia in the war against Ukraine, in a meeting with officers of the army’s overseas operation, state media KCNA said on Thursday.
Kim “highly appreciated their feats of leading the combat units of our armed forces, which participated in the operations to liberate the Kursk Region of the Russian Federation, to victory,” KCNA reported.
North Korea has dispatched more than 10,000 troops to support Russia’s war in Ukraine and is believed to be planning another deployment, according to a South Korean intelligence assessment.
Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the strategic partnership treaty in June last year, which includes a mutual defense pact.
Ahead of Putin’s meeting with US President Donald Trump, Kim spoke to Putin by telephone and reaffirmed full support for Moscow.
Earlier, Kim paid tribute to North Korean soldiers killed during the war with Ukraine, covering their coffins with flags and resting both of his hands on them in a rare public display.
“Ours is a heroic army ... Our army has fully demonstrated its unique qualities. Such a result has cemented its appellation and reputation as the most powerful army in the world,” Kim said, according to KCNA.
North Korea leader Kim praises ‘heroic’ troops in Russia
https://arab.news/zg5rj
North Korea leader Kim praises ‘heroic’ troops in Russia
- North Korean troops' performance in Russia cemented “reputation as the most powerful army in the world”
- Pyongyang has dispatched more than 10,000 troops to support Russia’s war in Ukraine
Eight taken to hospital after gunfire at Sydney's Bondi beach
Australian police said on Sunday two people were in custody after reports of gunshots and injuries at Sydney's Bondi Beach.
"The police operation is ongoing and we continue to urge people to avoid the area," New South Wales police state in a post on X.
The Sydney Morning Herald said multiple people had been injured, while television networks Sky and ABC aired footage showing people lying on the ground.
Videos circulating on X appeared to show people on Bondi Beach scattering as multiple gunshots and police sirens can be heard. Reuters could not immediately verify the footage.
"We are aware of an active security situation in Bondi. We urge people in the vicinity to follow information from NSW Police," said a spokesperson for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Australian emergency workers said Sunday they had rushed eight people to hospitals after a shooting at Sydney's famed Bondi beach.
"We can just let you know that we have treated multiple people on the scene and at this stage taken eight people to different Sydney hospitals," a spokesperson for the New South Wales ambulance service told AFP.
No figures were immediately available for any fatalities.
