North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, oversaw the inauguration of a newly built residential district in Pyongyang dedicated to families of soldiers who died during overseas military operations, state news agency Korean Central News Agency reported on Monday.
Delivering remarks at the ceremony, Kim said the housing complex reflects the “spirit and sacrifice” of the fallen service members. He stated that the new homes were intended to enable grieving families to “take pride in their sons and husbands and live happily.”
Kim added that he had urged officials to complete the construction “even one day earlier” in hopes of offering “some small comfort” to the bereaved families.
Images published by KCNA showed Kim accompanied by his daughter, Ju Ae, as he met with relatives of the deceased soldiers and toured the newly finished apartments.
Ju Ae’s repeated public appearances have fuelled speculation that she may be positioned as a potential successor. Over the past three years, she has appeared alongside her father at a widening array of high-profile events, including missile launches, military commemorations and major state celebrations, suggesting a gradual elevation of her public profile.
Under a mutual defence agreement with Russia in 2024, North Korea reportedly deployed approximately 14,000 troops to support Russian forces in the conflict with Ukraine. South Korean, Ukrainian and Western sources estimate that more than 6,000 North Korean soldiers were killed.
In recent months, Pyongyang has organised several public events to honour fallen troops, including the unveiling of a new memorial complex in the capital featuring sculpted tributes to soldiers.
The opening of the housing district comes ahead of the Ninth Congress of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea, scheduled for late February. The congress is expected to serve as a significant political event highlighting Kim’s accomplishments and outlining future policy directions.
