Kim Jong-un Awards President Putin An Honorary Sign Of North Korea Order Of Kim Il-sung

Kim Jong-un with President Putin during the welcoming ceremony at Kim Il-sung Square, Pyongyang. (Source: KCNA)

JAKARTA - Russian President Vladimir Putin was awarded the Order of Kim Il-sung award, a sign of North Korea's highest honor.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that this award was personally awarded by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

"This award was given as a sign of infinite respect and trust from the government and our people to him, who have made a special contribution to the development of relations between the two countries," said Leader Kim, launching TASS from KCNA June 20.

President Putin visited Pyongyang to make a state visit as well as a return visit at the invitation of Leader Kim on June 19.

Leader Kim invited President Putin to visit North Korea during his visit to Russia in September 2023.

The two led the delegations of each country to a meeting at the Kumsusan Palace, before holding a one-on-one meeting. This visit resulted in an agreement on comprehensive strategic partnerships and cooperation agreements in the fields of medicine, medical education, and science, as well as agreements on the construction of a motor bridge that crosses the Tumannaya River on the border of the two countries.

Leader Kim called Russia a "true friend", as well as President Putin a "loyal friend of the Korean people." Meanwhile, President Putin in turn rejected attempts to blame North Korea for the worsening situation in the world.

The award ceremony to President Putin was attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov, presidential aide Yury Ushakov, Defense Minister Andrey Belousov and Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora.