On February 16, 2026, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un officially unveiled Saeppyol Street, a new housing district in Pyongyang dedicated to the families of soldiers who died fighting alongside Russian forces in the Ukraine war. This initiative is part of a broader effort to honor these soldiers, with Kim stating, 'We will repay the young martyrs who sacrificed all to their motherland.' The housing project aims to bolster domestic support for North Korea's involvement in the conflict, as estimates suggest that over 6,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed since their deployment in 2024. The event was marked by emotional scenes, including Kim touring the new apartments and meeting bereaved families, reinforcing the state's narrative of honoring its 'young martyrs.' State media photos showed Kim walking through the new street with his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, who is increasingly prominent in North Korean politics, further signaling the regime's strategy to leverage military sacrifices for political gain.