Putin gifts Kim Jong-un Russian car to drive home ‘special’ ties

North Korea

Published: 20 Feb. 2024, 10:58 Updated: 20 Feb. 2024, 17:53

Putin gifts Kim Jong-un Russian car to drive home ‘special’ ties

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin are seated in Putin's presidential Aurus Senat limousine at Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Russian Far East on Sept. 13, 2023, in an image from footage of the North’s state-run Korean Central Television on Sept. 20. [YONHAP]

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un received a Russian-made car from Russian President Vladimir Putin as a gift demonstrating the "special" close ties between the two leaders, state media reported Tuesday.

Russia conveyed the vehicle to Pak Jong-chon, a secretary of the ruling Worker's Party of Korea, and Kim Yo-jong, the powerful younger sister of the North's leader, reported the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

She delivered Kim's thanks to Putin, according to the KNCA, saying the "gift serves as a clear demonstration of the special personal relations between the top leaders of the DPRK and Russia."

North Korean state media didn't reveal any details about the car Kim received.

However, Putin's gift could violate UN Security Council resolutions that ban member states from exporting luxury items to North Korea.

Furthermore, the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer of transportation vehicles to North Korea is also prohibited under Security Council Resolution 2397 of 2017.

In September last year, Putin showed his Russian-made Aurus Senat limousine to North Korean leader Kim during his visit to Russia's Vostochny spaceport for their bilateral summit.

Kim, known for his penchant for luxury cars, has often made public appearances in various Mercedes-Maybach S-class vehicles.

Last month, Kim was spotted in state media with a new luxury Mercedes-Benz SUV, presumed to be the top-class model of the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600.

This comes despite UN sanctions banning the supply of such luxury automobiles to North Korea as a part of international measures to curb Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs.

This comes as people-to-people exchanges between Pyongyang and Moscow have been vibrant across various sectors recently, with North Korean information technology, fisheries and sports delegations having departed for Russia recently, according to the KCNA.

Following Kim and Putin's summit last September, the two countries have flaunted stronger relations, with North Korea suspected of supplying artillery to Russia amid its war against Ukraine, and Moscow possibly relaying technologies related to nuclear-powered submarines, missiles and satellites.

Kim Su-gil, an alternate member of the political bureau of the North's ruling Workers' Party, also led a delegation to visit Russia last week to attend an international forum.

Seoul's Unification Ministry “condemned” the North for flaunting Putin's gift, a luxury vehicle, which violates UN sanctions.

“We condemn North Korea for its brazen attitude, publicly revealing its violation of UN Security Council sanctions,” a ministry official told reporters on Tuesday. “Russia must realize its responsibility as a permanent member of the Security Council and halt any act that undermines international norms.”

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]