A photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on 20 June 2024, shows Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) driving North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in an Aurus limousine in Pyongyang, North Korea, 19 June 2024. EPA-EFE/KCNA 
Kim said in a speech, "The combat activities of overseas operational forces... proved without regret the power of the heroic (North Korean) army," and said the "liberation of Kursk" proved the "fighting spirit of the heroes," KCNA said.
Kim laid a flower at a memorial wall for soldiers fallen overseas, and a concert was held for soldiers returned from Russia as well as a banquet that included bereaved family members, KCNA said.
The moves were the latest public honouring of North Korean troops who fought in Russia. KCNA said on Thursday that Kim met with officers of the army's overseas operation and paid tribute to North Korean soldiers killed in Ukraine.
About 600 North Korean troops have been killed fighting for Russia against Ukraine out of a total deployment of 15,000, South Korean lawmakers said in April, citing the country's intelligence agency.
(Reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by Chris Reese and Cynthia Osterman)