On January 14, the Korean Workers' Party's newspaper reported that Kim Jong-un directed the construction of a memorial dedicated to Korean People's Army soldiers who were deployed to Russia. His visit to the memorial site is his second within a month, signaling a profound commitment to honor those who served abroad. Earlier in January, Kim had also engaged with the site along with family members, emphasizing a personal and political connection to the ongoing memorial project.

The timing of this visit appears strategic, coinciding with the upcoming 9th Congress of the Workers’ Party and aimed at reinforcing North Korea's alliance with Russia. Kim's rhetoric frames the memorial as a monument to the valiant service of soldiers and the sacrifices made in overseas military operations, which he asserts should be immortalized as part of national history. This aligns with a narrative intended to bolster morale among the families of fallen soldiers and to garner public support ahead of significant political events.

Additionally, reports from the National Intelligence Service indicate that North Korea has deployed a substantial number of troops to Russia for reconstruction missions, including about 10,000 combat troops. Information shared at a parliamentary intelligence meeting highlighted that among these troops, around 6,000 have suffered casualties. This context lays bare the human cost behind North Korea's military engagements abroad, underscoring the regime's reliance on commemorative efforts to maintain loyalty and remember those who have served.