Russian President Vladimir Putin has gifted a Russian-made car to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has gifted a Russian-made car to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The car, an Aurus, is Russia’s first full-size luxury sedan and is also used as Putin’s presidential car. This gift highlights the special relationship between the two leaders. However, it raises concerns about violating a UN resolution that bans luxury items to pressure North Korea over its nuclear weapons development.
The Russian-made car was delivered to Kim’s top aides by the Russian side, and Kim’s sister conveyed her thanks to Putin, emphasizing the special personal relations between the leaders. South Korea’s foreign ministry is closely monitoring this cooperation while urging both countries to comply with UN security council resolutions. Kim Jong Un is known for his interest in automobiles and has a collection of luxury foreign vehicles, including several Mercedes limousines, a Rolls-Royce Phantom, and a Lexus sports utility vehicle. These luxury goods fall under the category of items banned from export to North Korea.
Known for having multiple expensive cars manufactured abroad that are purportedly smuggled into North Korea against UN resolutions, Kim traveled to Russia in 2019 and made use of a Maybach limousine. This was the opulent vehicle that was used to get from one of Kim’s special train cars to the other. Kim’s possession of pricey foreign limousines demonstrates how flimsy the UN sanctions against North Korea are.
