Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong-un presided over the completion ceremony of a new housing district ⁠in Pyongyang for families of troops who died in overseas military operations, state media KCNA said on Monday.

In a speech, Kim said the new district symbolised the "spirit and sacrifice" of the dead troops, adding that the homes were meant to allow ⁠bereaved families to "take pride in their sons ⁠and husbands and ⁠live happily."

Kim said he had pushed to finish the project "even one day earlier" ⁠in the hope ‌it might bring "some small comfort" to the troops' families.

Under a mutual defence ‌pact with Moscow, in 2024 Pyongyang sent some 14,000 ⁠soldiers to fight alongside Russian troops in Ukraine.

The DPRK has staged multiple public ceremonies in recent months to honour its war dead, including the unveiling of a new memorial ⁠complex in ‌Pyongyang adorned with sculptures of ‌troops.

The opening comes ahead of the ninth congress of the ruling Workers' ‌Party, which is set to convene in late February and is expected to serve as a major political ⁠showcase for policy priorities. (Reuters)



Edited by Thomas McAlinden