SEOUL, March 27 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been awarded a medal commemorating the 80th anniversary of Victory Day by the Russian government Thursday, Moscow's embassy in Pyongyang said.
According to the embassy's social media post, the medal marking the Soviet Union's World War II victory over Nazi Germany was conferred on Kim under the directive of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
An award ceremony was held at Pyongyang's Mansudae Assembly Hall, where Russian Ambassador Alexandr Matsegora presented the medal and certificate to Kang Yun-sok, vice chairman of North Korea's standing committee of the Supreme People's Assembly.
The certificate stated that Kim received the medal in recognition of his contributions to honoring the memory of Soviet soldiers who died and are buried in North Korea.
The medal was awarded more than a month ahead of Victory Day, which falls on May 9. Russia had previously conferred similar medals on Kim in May 2015 and May 2020 to mark the 70th and 75th anniversaries.
This photo captured from the Russian Embassy in North Korea's Facebook account on March 27, 2025, shows Russian Ambassador Alexandr Matsegora (4th from L) presenting a Russian government medal commemorating the 80th anniversary of Victory Day for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to Kang Yun-sok (4th from R), vice chairman of North Korea's standing committee of the Supreme People's Assembly, at Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
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