In Russia and the DPRK, the Soviet officer who saved Kim Il Sung is remembered.

On March 6, Russia and the DPRK celebrate the 80th anniversary of the legendary feat of Soviet officer Yakov Novichenko, who saved the life of Korean leader Kim Il Sung in March 1946. A Korean delegation has arrived in Russia to pay tribute to an act that will always be spoken of with honor.

"This event became the starting point of friendship between our countries," said Andrey Shin, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Society for Friendship and Cultural Cooperation with the DPRK.

In March 1946, thousands of people held a rally in Pyongyang in honor of the anniversary of the anti-Japanese uprising. Suddenly, a grenade flew out of the crowd.

"While guarding the podium, where the leaders of the Communist Party of Korea and representatives of the Soviet command were present, [Novichenko] intercepted a grenade thrown at the podium," said Yulia Wenger, chief document specialist at the Central Archive of the Russian Defense Ministry.

Novichenko lost his arm, but miraculously survived. Strangely enough, it was his love of reading that saved him.

"He had a book under his greatcoat. The 600-page book "Brusilovsky breakthrough". His dad was a participant in the Brusilov Breakthrough, and he read this book at his leisure," said Pyotr Rabchuk, head of the Museum of Military Glory of Siberian Soldiers.

The hero lost his arm, but survived and returned home to work as a simple rural agronomist. Novichenko raised six children.

"There was a silver cigarette case on the table with the inscription: "From Comrade Kim Il Sung." We saw her, but we never asked any questions," said Novichenko's daughter, Tatiana Shcherbitskaya.

In the village, the story of garnet and Kim Il Sung was long perceived as a frontline legend — it sounded too incredible.

"According to the documents of the Central Archive of the Ministry of Defense, Yakov Novichenko began his service in 1938, in 1944 he was sent to the Far Eastern Front, completed six months of officer training, after which he was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant. There is also an account card of the awardee, which lists all of Novichenko's awards. For example, the Order of the Red Banner is awarded for military merit, and the most interesting thing is the Hero of Labor of the DPRK with the Hammer and Sickle gold medal," said Igor Kaporikov, a correspondent for Izvestia.

The award was presented almost 40 years after the feat. In May 1984, during a visit to the Soviet Union, Kim Il Sung sought out his savior and invited him to Pyongyang.

Today, Novichenko's children and grandchildren are treated with special honor in Pyongyang, as relatives. A granite monument "Internationalist Novichenko" has been erected in the capital of the DPRK. His figure froze in the jump for the grenade. There's an open book behind my back.

Friendly vow: Russia and North Korea will increase trade volumes

The republic is also ready to receive Russian tourists.

On February 27, the State Duma announced the idea of naming streets and squares in the Kursk region in honor of North Korean fighters. Kazbek Taisaev, coordinator of the parliamentary friendship group with the DPRK, State Duma deputy (KPRF), said that Russia will always sacredly honor the memory of the Korean heroes who gave their lives for Russia and for common freedom.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.