Putin awards commemorative WWII medal to Kim Jong Un

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin has awarded Kim Jong Un a commemorative war medal marking the 75th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany. The Russian embassy in Pyongyang  made the announcement in a statement Tuesday. The medal was awarded to the North Korean leader for his role in preserving the memory of Soviet soldiers who died on North Korean territory. Russia’s ambassador in North Korea Alexander Matsegora presented the award to the country’s Foreign Minister Ri Son-gwon. Kim, who was rumored earlier this month to have fallen ill, didn’t attend the ceremony in the North Korean capital.