Kim Jong Un receives commemorative medal from Putin

DPRK's Foreign Minister Ri Son Gwon (R) receives the commemorative medal from Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Alexandr Matsegora at the Mansudae Assembly Hall, Pyongyang, DPRK, May 5, 2020. /AP

Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), received a commemorative medal from Russian President Vladimir Putin on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Russia's victory in World War II, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Wednesday.

A ceremony honoring Kim with the "the 75th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945" took place at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on Tuesday, the KCNA said.

The commemorative medal was conveyed by Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Alexandr Matsegora to DPRK's Foreign Minister Ri Son Gwon.

"Alexandr Matsegora, upon authorization, courteously conveyed the commemorative medal and a certificate from Putin to Kim Jong Un, to Ri Son Gwon," KCNA reported.

Both Russian and DPRK officials met with face masks on, amid the coronavirus pandemic even though Pyongyang has not reported a single case of COVID-19.

Kim Jong Un (L) departs to visit Russia at an undisclosed location in this undated photo released by KCNA, April 23, 2019. /Reuters

"In accordance with the Russian president's decree, Kim Jong Un was presented with the anniversary medal for his major personal contribution to commemorating Soviet citizens who perished and were buried in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and for caring about preserving burial sites and memorials of Soviet warriors in the DPRK," the Russian Embassy said.

After the ceremony, the Russian ambassador and the DPRK foreign minister held a brief conversation, "during which they confirmed the commitment to continue active efforts to consistently implement the

agreements reached by the leaders of the two countries in Vladivostok in April 2019

, aimed at further developing and strengthening multifaceted Russian-Korean cooperation," according to media outlets.

There are 11 mass graves and 345 individual graves in the DPRK, where 1,375 Soviet troops are buried, according to the Russian Embassy.

More than 4,700 Soviet soldiers died of wounds in the battles to liberate Korea in 1945. One of the key landmarks in Pyongyang is the Liberation Monument, which commemorates Soviet soldiers who died in the battles to liberate Korea from the Japanese occupation in 1945.

The Korean Peninsula was colonized by Japan from 1910 to 1945.

The DPRK and Russia have maintained close relations since the late 1940s when Pyongyang and Moscow established diplomatic ties.

The Russian government's honor for Kim came when his sudden public disappearance recently fueled conflicting media reports about his health being in grave danger.

Even though the DPRK leader put an end to the speculation after attending a recent event.

Kim Jong Un makes first public appearance in nearly three weeks: KCNA