ANKARA

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been seen mourning over his soldiers believed to have been killed in the Russia-Ukraine war, images aired by state media showed on Tuesday.

Aired by Korean Central Television, the images showed Kim solemnly placing a North Korean flag over a coffin during a ceremony for the return of the remains of North Korean soldiers who were deployed and killed in the conflict.

The images showed photos of Kim in the background footage during a joint cultural event co-hosted by North Korea and Russia in Pyongyang on Sunday, marking the first anniversary of the signing of their "comprehensive strategic partnership" treaty.

North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui was also seen with Kim in the photos.

One image showed Kim placing both hands on the coffin, with his lips tightly pressed.

Photos of North Korean soldiers were also shown alongside Russian troops, and of a blood-stained notebook believed to belong to a North Korean soldier retrieved from the battleground in Russia's Kursk region.

Russia's Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova, who was among those present at the event, wiping away her tears, as were several other people in the audience.

Participants, including Kim, were seen wearing winter clothing, suggesting the event likely took place months ago and that the remains may have begun returning as early as last winter.

North Korea deployed thousands of soldiers to aid Russia in the Ukraine war, following the signing of a partnership pact by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim in Pyongyang in June last year.

Last week, the South Korean intelligence agency claimed that North Korea is likely to send more troops to Russia in the next two months.

Late last month, Russian security chief Shoygu said North Korea will send 6,000 personnel to Russia, including 1,000 combat engineers and 5,000 military builders, to assist in mine clearance and reconstruction efforts in the Kursk region, bordering Ukraine.

In April, the South Korean spy agency claimed that North Korea has likely had more than 4,700 casualties overall, including 600 confirmed fatalities while fighting alongside Russian forces in the Russia-Ukraine war.