The North Korean leader was reported to have spent a significant amount on a fleet of luxury cars and was recently seen driving four new foreign vehicles.
The Kremlin confirmed on Tuesday that a Russian-made full-size luxury sedan limousine by Aurus, Russia’s first luxury car brand, was en route to North Korea.
As per reports from North Korean state media, the car was personally delivered by a Russian delegation over the weekend.
Putin’s extravagant gift may have violated Moscow-backed United Nations Security Council sanctions against Pyongyang, which prohibit the provision of luxury items, including all forms of transportation, to the country.
Kim is known for being a motor enthusiast and having a passion for Mercedes vehicles.
Recently, he has been spotted driving a £160,000 armored Mercedes-Maybach S560 sedan, a luxury Mercedes, and a Lexus SUV, as reported by Seoul-based NK News.
The method by which the vehicles arrived in North Korea remains unclear, as the country has been under sanctions for over ten years.
However, the government has a well-established practice of bringing in high-end goods like designer bags, clothing, and expensive alcohol that are favored by the Kim dynasty and elite members of Pyongyang.
Kim’s Limousine Gift to Putin Sparks Questions on North Korea in Ukraine Invasion
When the North Korean official visited Russia last year, he was photographed examining Putin’s presidential Anrus Senat limousine.
The Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov mentioned that the motor was gifted to Kim because he admired Mr. Putin’s Aurus Senat Limousine, a custom luxury car.
There has been no official confirmation or denial from the Kremlin regarding the use of North Korea-made weapons in the invasion of Ukraine.
North Korea has refuted allegations of sending weapons to Russia, which would constitute a breach of UN sanctions.
Following Mr Kim’s trip to Russia in September, there has been an increase in the number of delegations exchanged between the two nations.
In 2019, Kim was seen with jogging bodyguards next to his limo before his meeting with Donald Trump.
Approximately twelve individuals in dark suits were observed running alongside the vehicle as it traveled through Hanoi.
The security team in suits quickly moved to surround the car from all sides, ensuring the safety of their leader.
