Vladimir Putin recently presented Kim Jong Un a lavish Russian Aurus limousine as a gift because the North Korean leader admired the car when the Russian president showcased it to him last year, the Kremlin disclosed on Tuesday.
During Kim’s visit to eastern Russia in September, Putin exhibited one of the black armored limousines that he uses. Kim sat alongside Putin in the vehicle at the Vostochny Cosmodrome and seemed to appreciate it.
“During the North Korean leader’s visit to the Vostochny cosmodrome, he took an interest in this car, which Putin personally showed him, and like many others, Kim admired this car,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov explained in response to inquiries about the gift.
“So, the decision was made,” Peskov stated. “North Korea is our neighboring country, and we aim to continue developing relations with all neighbors, including North Korea.”
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Russia has bolstered connections with North Korea and other nations that have strained relations with the United States, such as Iran, since the commencement of the conflict with Ukraine.
The United States has accused North Korea of supplying Russia with artillery shells and missiles used in Ukraine. Moscow and Pyongyang reject the allegations and pledged last year to deepen military cooperation.
South Korea’s foreign ministry expressed concerns about the car presentation, stating it was closely monitoring collaboration between Russia and North Korea and urging both countries to adhere to U.N. Security Council resolutions.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova refuted any claims that Moscow had violated sanctions.
She wrote on Telegram, “I think we should ask advocates of international legal integrity about the harm caused by illicit sanctions when, due to the West’s sanctions battle, individuals worldwide struggle to obtain food, medications, and vaccines.”
Special personal ties
Russia handed over the Russian-manufactured limousine to Kim’s top aides on Feb. 18., as reported by North Korea’s official KCNA news agency.
Kim’s sister “expressed Kim Jong Un’s appreciation to Putin on behalf of the Russian side, stating that the gift underscores the special personal ties between the top leaders,” KCNA detailed.
According to the automaker’s website, the vehicle is Russia’s premier full-size luxury sedan. It also serves as Putin’s official presidential car.
During Kim’s visit to the Vostochny Cosmodrome, he personally drove to the location in a Maybach limousine transported via a special train from Pyongyang.
Kim has a keen interest in automobiles and has amassed a significant collection of luxury foreign vehicles, likely through smuggling.
The Maybach and other vehicles he has been seen in, including various Mercedes limousines, a Rolls-Royce Phantom, and a Lexus SUV, fall under the category of luxury goods prohibited for export to North Korea by U.N. Security Council resolutions.