According to official media, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un received a car from Russian President Vladimir Putin as a personal gift, potentially violating U.N. sanctions against Pyongyang. The two countries have grown closer since Kim and Putin met in September and pledged to increase exchanges as their international isolation intensified due to Russia’s involvement in Ukraine and North Korea’s nuclear weapons development.
The Russian-made car was delivered to Kim’s top aides on Feb. 18, as reported by the official KCNA news agency. Kim’s sister conveyed his gratitude to Putin, emphasizing the strong personal relationship between the two leaders.
The report did not provide details about the car or its delivery from Russia. Kim is known for his passion for automobiles and is believed to have obtained a large collection of luxury foreign vehicles through smuggling.
In a visit to Russia’s space launch station, Kim inspected Putin’s presidential Aurus Senat limousine and was invited to sit in the back seat by the Russian leader. Kim had arrived in a Maybach limousine brought on a special train from Pyongyang. The vehicles Kim has been seen in, including Mercedes limousines, a Rolls-Royce Phantom, and a Lexus SUV, are considered luxury goods banned from export to North Korea under U.N. Security Council resolutions.
Meanwhile, exchanges between North Korea and Russia have become more active, with North Korea suspected of supplying artillery, rockets, and ballistic missiles to Russia for use in the war against Ukraine. The Kremlin has neither confirmed nor denied the use of North Korean-made weapons. North Korea has also denied accusations of arms shipments to Russia, which would violate U.N. sanctions.
Additionally, KCNA reported that a delegation of North Korean ruling party officials returned from Russia, while three delegations representing information technology, fisheries, and sports departed for Russia on Tuesday. (Reporting by Jack Kim; Editing by Sandra Maler)
