Putin sends commemorative World War II medal to North Korea's Kim Jong Un
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here
Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded North Korean leader Kim Jong Un a commemorative World War II coin Tuesday for preserving the memory of Soviet soldiers who died on North Korean soil fighting for its liberation.
Kim was given the medal marking the 75th anniversary of the Red Army's victory over Nazi Germany, a statement from the Russian embassy in Pyongyang said. Russia recognized Kim's "great personal contribution to the memory of the victims of the Soviet citizens and caring for the safety of the graves and memory of the Soviet soldiers in the Korean People's Republic of Korea," the embassy said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
NORTH KOREA, SOUTH KOREA TROOPS EXCHANGE GUNFIRE ALONG BORDER, SOUTH SAYS
Russian Ambassador to Democratic People's Republic of Korea Alexander Matsegora, left, and Democratic People's Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Ri Son-gwon, foreground right, both wearing face masks to protect against coronavirus, attend a ceremony of awarding North Korean leader Kim Jong-un with Russia's 75th anniversary Victory medal for his major contribution in commemorating Soviet soldiers, who died in 1945 during Korea's liberation, at the Mansudae Palace of Congress in Pyongyang, North Korea. (Russian Embassy in the DPRK/Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service via AP)
The award, titled "75 years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945," was presented by Russia's ambassador to North Korea, Alexander Matsegora, to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the North Korea, Ri Son-gwon. Kim was not present.
Russian and North Korean officials wore masks during the ceremony, despite the fact that the Hermit Kingdom has not reported a single COVID-19 case.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Russia’s state-run TASS news agency reported that 11 mass graves and 345 individual graves in North Korea contain the remains of 1,375 Soviet troops. More than 4,700 Soviet troops died in battles to liberate Korea from the Japanese in 1945, the outlet said.
Tuesday's ceremony came days after Kim emerged after 20 days and made his first public appearance last week.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
The Associated Press contributed to this report.