Russian President Vladimir Putin gave North Korean leader Kim Jong-un a luxury Russian Aurus limousine as a gift, because the latter liked the car when it was shown to him last year, the Kremlin said yesterday.
When Kim visited eastern Russia in September last year, Putin showed Kim one of the black armored limousines that he uses. Kim sat beside Putin in the car at the Vostochny Cosmodrome and appeared to enjoy it.
“When the head of the DPRK [Democratic Republic of North Korea] was at the Vostochny cosmodrome, he looked at this car, Putin showed it to him personally, and like many people, Kim liked this car,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said when asked about the gift.
Photo: Reuters
“So this decision was made,” Peskov said. “North Korea is our neighbor, our close neighbor, and we intend, and will continue, to develop our relations with all neighbors, including North Korea.”
Russia has stepped up ties with North Korea and other countries hostile to the US, such as Iran since the start of the war with Ukraine — relations that are a source of concern to the West.
The US has accused the North of supplying Russia with artillery shells and missiles used in Ukraine. Moscow and Pyongyang deny the US accusations, but last year vowed to deepen military relations.
The Russian-made limousine was delivered to Kim’s top aides by the Russian side on Sunday, North Korea’s official KCNA news agency said.
Kim’s 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,” KCNA reported.
The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it was closely monitoring the cooperation between Russia and North Korea while urging both countries to comply with UN Security Council resolutions.
“Security Council sanctions on North Korea prohibit directly or indirectly supplying, selling or moving all transportation vehicles internationally categorized as HS Code 86 through to 89 regardless of their origin to North Korea including luxury cars,” ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk told a media briefing.
According to the automaker’s Web site, the car is Russia’s first full-size luxury sedan. It is also Putin’s presidential car.
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