He awarded the deceased state honours to “add eternal lustre” to their bravery.

“All of you, both officers and soldiers, displayed mass heroism overcoming unimaginable mental and physical burdens almost every day,” Kim said.

The troops had been able to “work a miracle of turning a vast area of danger zone into a safe and secure one in a matter of less than three months”.

Images released by KCNA showed a smiling Kim embracing returned soldiers, some of whom appeared injured and in wheelchairs, at the ceremony in Pyongyang on Friday.