North Korean leader gets World War II medal from Putin

Channel News Asia ^ | 09 March 2005

[Lukasz]

SEOUL : Russian President Vladimir Putin has awarded North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il a medal marking the end of World War II, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.

Kim received the medal in person "commemorating the 60th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War" from Russia's envoy on behalf of Putin, the agency said. It is rare for the secretive leader to attend award ceremonies.

"A ceremony of conveying the medal took place in grand style Tuesday. Kim Jong-Il was present there," the agency said without specifying the venue.

The reclusive leader, who was accompanied by ranking North Korean government, military and communist party officials at the ceremony, expressed gratitude to Putin, it said.

In a seperate dispatch, the agency said Kim and his entourage attended a reception held "in a cordial atmosphere" by Ambassador Andrei Gennadiyevich Karlov at the Russian embassy in Pyongyang.

"He expressed thanks for the kind invitation and had an amicable and friendly talk with the ambassador before posing for a photograph with the staff members of the embassy," it said.

Russia is preparing for a grand event on May 9 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, inviting some 60 world leaders to the ceremony in Moscow.

South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun has accepted an invitation to attend the celebrations. North Korea's head of state has also been invited but it was uncertain whether a delegate from the communist state would attend. - AFP

[Lukasz]

Russian President Vladimir Putin has awarded North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il a medal marking the end of World War II, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.

Nice gesture especially that when WWII ended Kim Jong-Il has three years. But for sure he fought bravely…

Russia is preparing for a grand event on May 9 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, inviting some 60 world leaders to the ceremony in Moscow. South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun has accepted an invitation to attend the celebrations. North Korea's head of state has also been invited but it was uncertain whether a delegate from the communist state would attend.

I would love to see Kim and Bush celebrating the same thing. Anyway I’m curious how many dictators will attend to this anniversary.

[FormerACLUmember]

Recycled KGB agent and mafia crook meets psychopath mass-murdering human ChiaPet.

[Larry Lucido]

Aww, that's so heartwarming.

[injin]

if Putin were really our friend , he would have stabbed the
nasty little man through his tunic with the darn pin

[Lukasz]

Aww, that's so heartwarming.

I know, I know :)

[M. Espinola]

With 'friends' like Mr. KGB who really needs enemies?

[Grzegorz 246]

[FormerACLUmember]

Photo in Post #6: Putin is doing his "Is this ridiculous or what, but hey its my job" thing. ChiaPet Kim Il Jung just looks insane.. completely insane.

[Grzegorz 246]

Old, but interesting.



Monday, August 6, 2001. Page 1.

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2001/08/06/001.html

Putin, Kim Sign Strategic Alliance

By Paul Shin
The Associated Press
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il toured space science facilities Sunday, a day after holding summit talks with President Vladimir Putin that showcased a newfound strategic alliance between the two former ideological allies.

Amid tight security, Kim visited the Khrunichev space center outside Moscow, where he was shown a full-size replica of the Mir space station, Itar-Tass said. He also inspected workshops that make space rocket carriers.

[Grzegorz 246]

ping.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Gee, that's really wonderful.

[Lukasz]

two former ideological allies

Sounds funny, ideological allies. :-)

[F16Fighter]

Dubya will have to reassess his "Axis of Evil."

[Grzegorz 246]

[Lukasz]

Dubya will have to reassess his "Axis of Evil."

Yes, now he should delete North Korea cause the friends of our friends are our friend.

[Lukasz]

???? What the hell...

[k2blader]

President Bush will have to ask Putin about this next time they are trucking around his ranch.

[F16Fighter]

"Yes, now he should delete North Korea cause the friends of our friends are our friend."

That's quite a menage ;-)