The mine clearance in the Russian region bordering Ukraine began in August, according to Kim's rare admission. Nine of the soldiers have died, the leader said during a ceremony in Pyongyang broadcast on North Korean state media.
According to South Korean intelligence, North Korea has sent thousands of soldiers to fight for Russia in its war against Ukraine. In exchange, North Korea receives financial support and technological military equipment from Russia, analysts say.
North Korea itself confirmed that it had sent soldiers to war for the first time in April of this year. Last year, Kim Jong-Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a mutual defense treaty.
Corrected: In a previous version, there was incorrect information about where the mine clearance took place.
