North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reportedly received a car as a “gift for his personal use” from Russian President Vladimir Putin, potentially violating a United Nations ban that Moscow had agreed to adopt against Pyongyang, official media reported on Thursday. Tuesday.
The two countries have been strengthening ties since Kim and Putin met in September, pledging to promote exchanges in all areas. cnn reported.
Despite their international isolation, Russia's war in Ukraine and North Korea's development of nuclear weapons have not hindered their collaboration.
The Russian-made car was delivered to Kim's top aides by the Russian side on February 18, the official said. Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
Kim's sister “politely conveyed Kim Jong Un's gratitude 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 saying.
South Korea's Foreign Ministry said it was monitoring Russia's cooperation with North Korea and urging both nations to comply with UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
According to the Russian news agency ESTUARYKremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov revealed that Kim received an Aurus Senat, which the automaker's website says is Russia's first full-size luxury sedan and Putin's presidential car.
Kim visited Russia's space launch station in September and Putin invited him to sit in the back seat.
Kim, an avid automobile enthusiast, arrived at the scene in a Maybach limousine, aboard a special train from Pyongyang.
He is believed to have a large collection of luxury foreign vehicles, probably smuggled in.
These luxury items, including Mercedes limousines, a Rolls-Royce Phantom and a Lexus sport utility vehicle, are subject to UN Security Council resolutions prohibiting their export to North Korea.
North Korea is suspected of supplying weapons to Russia for use in the Ukraine conflict, but the Kremlin has not responded to the allegations. Meanwhile, North Korea denies the accusations, which would also constitute a violation of UN sanctions.
