North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reportedly received a car as a “gift for his personal use” from Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, potentially violating a United Nations ban that Moscow had agreed to impose on Pyongyang, according to official media on Tuesday.
According to CNN, the two countries have been boosting ties since Kim and Putin met in September, promising to promote exchanges in all areas.
Despite their international isolation, Russia’s war in Ukraine and North Korea’s nuclear weapons development have not stifled cooperation.
The Russian side presented the Russian-made automobile to Kim’s top advisers on February 18, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.
Kim’s half-sister “courteously conveyed Kim Jong Un’s thanks to Putin to the Russian side, saying that the gift serves as a clear demonstration of the special personal relations between the top leaders,” the Korean Central News Agency reported.
South Korea’s foreign ministry stated that it is monitoring Russia’s cooperation with North Korea and encouraging both countries to comply with UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
According to Russian news agency RIA, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Kim received an Aurus Senat, the carmaker’s first full-size luxury sedan and Putin’s presidential vehicle.
Kim went to Russia’s space launch pad in September and was invited by Putin to ride in the back seat.
Kim, a passionate vehicle lover, drove to a location in a Maybach limousine while on a special train from Pyongyang.
He is thought to have a big collection of premium foreign vehicles, which were most likely smuggled in.
These premium items, which include Mercedes limousines, a Rolls-Royce Phantom, and a Lexus sports utility vehicle, are prohibited from being exported to North Korea under UNSC resolutions.
North Korea is suspected of providing weaponry to Russia for use in the Ukraine conflict, but the Kremlin has not responded to the allegations. Meanwhile, North Korea disputes the allegations, which would also constitute a violation of UN sanctions.
