Russian President Vladimir Putin has presented a car as a gift to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, signaling a further strengthening of ties between the two nations. This move comes as both countries find themselves increasingly isolated on the global stage. The Russian-made car, delivered on Sunday for Kim Jong-un’s “personal use,” raises eyebrows as it potentially violates United Nations Security Council sanctions backed by Moscow, prohibiting the supply of luxury goods, including “transportation vehicles,” to North Korea.
The gift, undisclosed in terms of make and model, was received by Kim’s sister and close aide, Kim Yo-jong, and other senior North Korean officials. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korea’s state media outlet, Kim Yo-jong conveyed Kim Jong-un’s gratitude to Putin, emphasizing the significance of the gift as a demonstration of the special personal relations between the leaders of North Korea and Russia.
While the specifics of how the car was transported from Russia remain unknown, this diplomatic gesture has broader implications. Kim Jong-un, known for his passion for automobiles and luxury foreign cars, was previously seen inspecting Putin’s presidential Anrus Senat limousine during his rare visit to Russia last year.
The timing of this gift raises concerns, as it may violate UN sanctions prohibiting luxury goods supply to North Korea. The move adds another layer to the deepening relations between the two nations, which have found common ground amid their increasing isolation and geopolitical challenges.
The complex dynamics in the region are further highlighted by reports suggesting North Korea’s support for Russia in its war in Ukraine, with Pyongyang allegedly supplying artillery, rockets, and ballistic missiles. However, these claims remain unconfirmed, with North Korea denying any violation of UN sanctions.
Since Kim’s visit to Russia in September, there has been a noticeable increase in exchanges of delegations between the two countries. In January, a high-ranking North Korean delegation visited Russia to discuss a potential visit by Putin to North Korea, the first in two decades.
Despite international sanctions aimed at curbing luxury imports to North Korea, Kim has managed to maintain a fleet of high-end cars, including a Maybach armored limousine and a black Rolls-Royce. The preference for Russian-made vehicles is evident, with Kim importing over 800 luxury cars from Russian companies between 2015 and 2017.
This latest development underlines the intricate geopolitical dynamics at play, as Russia and North Korea navigate global challenges and strengthen their bilateral ties, raising questions about the potential consequences in the broader diplomatic landscape.
