Russian President Vladimir Putin has gifted North Korean chief Kim Jong Un a Russian-made automotive, Pyongyang state media stated on Tuesday, as the 2 nations strengthen ties in areas from tourism to protection.
The present would violate successive rounds of U.N. sanctions on the North over Kim's nuclear and different weapons applications — adopted with Russian approval — that ban the import of automobiles or luxurious items into the nation.
Kim was introduced with “a automotive made in Russia for the private use of Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, President of the Russian Federation,” Pyongyang's official Korean Central Information Company reported.
Kim's highly effective sister, Yo Jong, stated the “present serves as a transparent demonstration of the particular private relations between the highest leaders” of the 2 nations, KCNA added.
The report didn’t specify the mannequin of the car.
Since Kim visited Putin final 12 months, Pyongyang has moved nearer to Moscow, with a bunch of Russian vacationers arriving earlier this month for a four-day journey — the primary identified overseas tour group since earlier than the pandemic-related border closures in 2020.
After the Kim-Putin summit in Russia's Far East in September, america and South Korea repeatedly alleged that the North had shipped weapons to Moscow to be used within the conflict with Ukraine in alternate for Russian assist with Kim's satellite tv for pc applications.
Either side have indicated that the Russian chief will now make a return go to to Pyongyang.
Kim is thought for his affinity for lavish automobiles. He has been noticed in luxurious automobiles together with Lexus SUVs and Mercedes-Benz S-Class fashions.
A 2021 UN report highlighted an tried cargo of luxurious automobiles price greater than $1 million, together with such fashions, reportedly from the United Arab Emirates to Ningbo, China, for onward supply to the north.
South Korea's Unification Ministry stated it had dominated that Putin's present, which it labeled a luxurious car and a present to Kim as head of state, was a violation of U.N. sanctions.
“We condemn North Korea for its brazen angle in publicly saying violations of U.N. sanctions,” a ministry official instructed reporters on situation of anonymity.
“Russia should additionally pay attention to its duty as a everlasting member of the UN Safety Council and cease an act that undermines worldwide norms,” the official added.
Throughout Kim's go to to Russia final 12 months, Putin invited him to climb into the again seat of his presidential Aurus Senat limousine.
Kim had arrived on the location in his Maybach limousine, which was transported on a particular prepare he traveled from the north.
Seoul-based specialist website NK Information reported that it was attainable that the car was an Aurus Senat armored sedan or limousine.
