North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has paid an emotional tribute to soldiers who have died fighting for Russia in its war against Ukraine, saying his ‘heart aches’ in a rare admission of military losses.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has decorated some of the soldiers sent to Russia to help it in its war against Ukraine, hailing the "heroes" who had "cemented" the North Korean army's reputation and saying there would be more such deployments.

By Joyce Lee and Ju-min Park SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korean leader Kim Jong Un lauded his country's "heroic" troops who fought for Russia in the war against Ukraine, in a ceremony where he decorated returning soldiers and consoled children of the bereaved with hugs,