Russian President Vladimir Putin presented North Korean leader Kim Jong-un with a premium "Aurus" class car, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Thus, he confirmed the information of the North Korean Central Telegraph Agency (KCNA) about the gift for a colleague from the DPRK.
According to KCNA, Kim Jong-un received a Russian-made car. At the same time, journalists did not specify either the brand or the model of the car.
Yes. This is an "Aurus".
The North Korean agency indicated that gifts from Putin were also received by the Secretary of the Central Committee of the Labor Party, Pak Chong-chon, and the sister of the leader of the DPRK, Kim Yo-jong. According to her, this gift testifies to the special friendly relations that have developed between Russia and the DPRK, and also thanked Putin for the gift.
Kim Jong-un first saw the "Aurus" in September 2023 during a visit to Russia. Putin showed him a limousine and a sedan at the Vostochny Cosmodrome. The Russian President told the guest about the technical characteristics of the car when he examined it from the outside and inside. Kim Jong-un enjoyed sitting in the back seat of the "Aurus", made of leather.
In recent years, Western countries have imposed a number of restrictions on North Korea because of its nuclear programs. In particular, the supply of luxury cars was prohibited. Kim Jong-un arrives at official events in old German Maybach and Mercedes-Benz.
However, the New York Times wrote that the DPRK, despite the ban, had established the import of luxury cars through third countries. According to the publication, the chain includes five states, as a result of which sanctioned cars still end up on the North Korean market.
The South Korean Foreign Ministry has already called the gift from Putin a "violation of UN sanctions" imposed against North Korea.
When the head of the DPRK was at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, he looked at this car, Putin showed it to him personally. Of course, he, like many, liked this car, so this decision was made. North Korea is our neighbor, our close neighbor. We intend to and will develop our relations with all neighbors, including North Korea.
Earlier, the Ministry of Industry and Trade promised that from 2025 the Aurus line will expand, and some of its models will become more affordable.
