▲ North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaks during a commemorative event at the Pyongyang Assembly Hall in the North Korean capital on Sept. 9, 2026, to mark the 78th anniversary of the North's national founding, in this photo released by the North's official Korean Central News Agency the next day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)
▲ An art performance is under way in front of the Pyongyang Assembly Hall in the North Korean capital on Sept. 9, 2026, as part of commemorative events to mark the 78th anniversary of the North's national founding, in this photo released by the North's official Korean Central News Agency the next day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

(ATTN: ADDS more details in paras 6-7, 11-13, additional photos)

SEOUL, Sept. 10 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has expressed special thanks to troops involved in overseas military operations and called on North Koreans to advance the country's development through patriotism, state media reported Thursday.

Kim made the remarks at a ceremony marking the 78th anniversary of the country's founding held in Pyongyang the previous day, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Kim extended gratitude to workers, service personnel and overseas compatriots' organizations while expressing "special thanks and high tribute" to the commanding officers and soldiers of the army involved in overseas military operations, according to the report.

He then emphasized the importance of patriotism and the contributions of the North Korean people.

"Our ideal is being realized rapidly thanks to patriotism, voluntary service and devoted contributions by all citizens praying for the country's prosperity, and our fighting morale for reaching the goal has also been greatly boosted," he said.

South Korea estimates that North Korea has sent more than 16,000 troops to Russia since 2024, with many believed to have become casualties.

The deployment followed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty signed by Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin in June 2024, under which Pyongyang has also provided conventional weapons to support Russia's war against Ukraine.

Kim also said the "righteous minds and efforts" of people who love and serve the country have become "the pillars of irresistible might" supporting the country's current development. He called on the ruling Workers' Party of Korea and the government to "shoulder heavier responsibility, make a bigger stride and achieve dynamic advance."

Kim and other participants, including senior party, government and military officials, held red scarves in their hands and took an oath pledging loyalty to the socialist system and the regime.

Kim also met with representatives from various sectors, including labor innovators and meritorious persons, and posed for commemorative photos with them, the KCNA said.

Unlike in the previous two years, Kim's speech contained no message toward the outside world, and the North did not release the full text of his speech, Seoul's unification ministry said, calling it an "unusual move."

"North Korea appears to have been using its founding anniversary to project the image of a 'normal state' by holding such events as the national flag-hoisting ceremony and a central commemorative meeting, while fostering patriotism among its people and strengthening internal unity," a ministry official told reporters.

The absence of an apparent message toward the international community may reflect Pyongyang's cautious wait-and-see approach amid a changing external environment and uncertainties, according to sources.

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