Pyongyang will eternally commemorate soldiers who lost their lives liberating Russian soil from Ukrainian incursion

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has praised the country's troops deployed to Russia under a mutual defense agreement as heroes, pledging that their sacrifices will be permanently honored in the homeland, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Monday.

The long-rumored presence of North Korean forces in Kursk Region was first officially confirmed on Saturday during a televised meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, who praised DPRK troops for "demonstrating high professionalism, courage, and heroism in battle."

North Korean soldiers were protecting Russian soil "as their own," demonstrating "indomitable will and ultimate sacrifice," the Central Military Commission in Pyongyang announced in a statement on Monday. Their heroic deeds, it added, recorded "legendary achievements" and further proved the "unbreakable alliance" between the two states.

"Those who fought for justice are all heroes and representatives of the nation's honor," Kim Jong-un declared, as cited by KCNA.

Pyongyang did not reveal the exact number of North Korean troops deployed or how many lost their lives in battle, but Kim emphasized that the homeland must always remember their spirit and take special national measures to honor and care for the families of veterans.

"The combat spirit and heroism of our soldiers, who glorified the name of the strong and victorious, will shine forever on the high pedestal of respect and honor," he said.

The North Korean leader also extended his "heartfelt and combative greetings" to Russian forces and the Russian people, congratulating them on a "great victory" in Kursk.

Moscow hailed Pyongyang's "solidarity," with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova calling the assistance of "our Korean friends" a "manifestation of the high, essentially allied level of our relations."

READ MORE: Russia praises North Korean 'heroism' in Kursk Region

Kiev and its Western backers had long alleged that North Korean troops were involved in the hostilities in Kursk Region, which was invaded by Ukrainian forces last August. Until the area was secured last week, Pyongyang and Moscow neither confirmed nor denied the reports, while the Russian president insisted it was up to the two nations to determine how they fulfill their obligations under the partnership pact.