20 February 2024 , 11:07
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Vladimir Putin has gifted friend Kim Jong-un a £350,000 bulletproof limo similar to his own.
The flashy car, which is intended for the North Korean dictator's personal use, was presented as a symbol of the close ties between the totalitarian leaders. Kim's sister reportedly thanked Putin on his behalf, as the leader was seen out an about in the black £350,000 Russian-made Aurus.
North Korea has funnelled large quantities of arms including artillery, rockets and ballistic missiles to Russia for use in Putin’s war against Ukraine. The presidential car will be seen as a “thank you” - but is a gift which likely flouts UN security council sanctions against Kim’s regime.
The present of the vehicle - like one used by Putin - was confirmed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. "Yes. This is an Aurus car," he said.
The Kremlin did not say which model was given to the Pyongyang tyrant, but in September last year Putin personally showed Kim the Aurus Senat limousine, so it is likely to be this one. On the visit, Kim brought his personal Maybach limousine on his special train from Pyongyang.
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The Aurus was gifted following North Korea's supply of arms and ballistic missiles to Russia in war against Ukraine (Zvezda/east2west news)The Russian cars are made at the NAMI Central Research Automobile and Motor Vehicle Institute. South Korea denounced the gift.
"We condemned North Korea for its brazen public admission of violating UN sanctions. Russia must also be aware of its responsibility as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and stop actions that undermine international norms," said a statement.
"Security Council sanctions on North Korea prohibit directly or indirectly supplying, selling or moving all transportation vehicles internationally categorised as HS Code 86 through to 89 regardless of their origin to North Korea including luxury cars," said South Korean foreign ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk.
Kim Jong-un is believed to be an avid automobile enthusiast and has a large collection of luxury foreign vehicles, which are likely smuggled in. The Maybach and others he had been seen in including several Mercedes limousines, a Rolls-Royce Phantom and a Lexus sports utility vehicle fall under luxury goods that U.N. Security Council resolutions ban from export to North Korea.