Seoul, March 27 (NationPress) The North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has received a medal celebrating the 80th anniversary of Victory Day from the Russian government on Thursday, as stated by Moscow's embassy in Pyongyang.

The embassy's social media update indicated that the medal, which commemorates the Soviet Union's victory in World War II over Nazi Germany, was awarded to Kim under the orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

An award ceremony took place 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 noted that Kim was honored with the medal for his efforts to commemorate the Soviet soldiers who lost their lives and are interred in North Korea, as reported by Yonhap news agency.

This medal was awarded over a month prior to Victory Day, which is celebrated on May 9. Russia had previously awarded similar medals to Kim in May 2015 and May 2020 to commemorate the 70th and 75th anniversaries, respectively.

This development follows a statement from a Russian Minister who mentioned that Kim Jong-un's visit to Russia is anticipated this year, with preparations already in motion.

Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko informed journalists in Moscow that Russia is gearing up for Kim's visit, as reported by Russian news agencies TASS and Ria Novosti, although specifics regarding the visit's timing were not disclosed.

Additionally, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is also scheduled to visit Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, to advance the strategic discussions between the two nations, according to reports.

This news emerged amidst increasing speculation about Kim's possible trip to Russia in connection with the 80th Victory Day celebrations on May 9, potentially serving as a reciprocal gesture for President Putin's visit to North Korea last June.

During that visit, Putin extended an invitation to Kim to come to Moscow for summit discussions.

Earlier this month, Rudenko visited Pyongyang, where he engaged with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui and Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jong-gyu to discuss facilitating “political contacts at high and top levels,” as previously reported by TASS.

Last week, Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of Russia's Security Council, also traveled to Pyongyang to meet with Kim, delivering a message from Putin, as noted by Yonhap news agency citing Russian news outlets TASS and Ria Novosti.

North Korea and Russia have forged a closer alliance since the signing of a mutual defense treaty between Kim and Putin during the latter's visit to Pyongyang last year, enhancing military cooperation and leading to the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia.