North Korea confirmed that it has deployed troops in Russia, the state news agency Kcna reported on Monday, stating that its soldiers helped Moscow regain territory under Ukrainian control in the border region of Kursk.

This confirmation comes days after Moscow admitted the participation of Pyongyang forces in its conflict with Kiev.

Intelligence agencies from South Korea and several Western powers had reported months ago that North Korea had sent 10,000 soldiers to Kursk.

"Subunits of the armed forces," said the Central Military Commission of the North in the Kcna report, had "participated in the operations to liberate the areas of Kursk, according to the order of the head of State."

The decision of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un to deploy the troops, according to the agency, was framed within a defense treaty between both countries. "Those who fought for justice are all heroes and representatives of the honor of the homeland," Kim said according to Kcna, which added that a monument to the "battle feats" would soon be built in the capital.

According to the Central Military Commission, "the operations to liberate the Kursk area" from Ukrainian forces "concluded victoriously."

Experts believe that the decision to publicly reveal the troop deployment was previously agreed upon by North Korea and Russia.