Putin gifts Russian-made car to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in a show of 'special ties': Report

Russian President Vladimir Putin has presented North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with a Russian-manufactured car, highlighting the unique relationship between the two leaders, according to a report, citing state media.

Yonhap News Agency, citing Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), reported that the gift demonstrates a “clear demonstration of the special personal relations between the two leaders and as the best one.”

Russia has conveyed information about gifting a vehicle to the secretary of the ruling Worker’s Party of Korea and Kim Jong Un’s sister, Kim Yo-jong. Kim Yo-jong expressed gratitude to Russia for Putin’s generous gesture towards Kim Jong Un.

According to the report, last September, during his visit to the Vostochny spaceport in Russia for a summit, Putin showcased his presidential Aurus Senat limousine to Kim Jong Un. Putin even extended the offer for Kim Jong Un to experience the comfort of the Russian-made luxury vehicle firsthand.

The specific model of the vehicle gifted by Putin to Kim Jong Un remains undisclosed.

Nonetheless, this gesture raises concerns as it may violate United Nations Security Council resolutions prohibiting the supply of luxury goods, including automobiles, to North Korea.

Kim Jong Un has been observed in various vehicles, including Mercedes-Maybach S-class models, including a limousine, in defiance of international sanctions imposed on North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, as reported by Yonhap News Agency.

Meanwhile, delegations led by senior North Korean government officials in charge of technology, fisheries and sports affairs have departed for Russia, Yonhap News Agency reported citing state media, as Pyongyang and Moscow have been enhancing bilateral cooperation.

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Information and Trade Minister Ju Yong-il and other delegates departed from Pyongyang on Monday to attend a global IT forum in Moscow. The Eurasia IT forum is due to be held in Moscow under the theme of “digital sovereignty as the basis for long-term international cooperation,” Yonhap News Agency reported citing its website.

Meanwhile, a delegation, led by North Korea’s Vice Fisheries Minister Son Song-kuk, departed for Russia on Sunday to hold discussions on ways to promote bilateral cooperation in the fisheries sector, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing KCNA.

North Korea’s Vice Sports Minister O Kwang-hyok departed for Russia to attend a ceremony to sign a 2024 sports exchange protocol between the two nations.

With inputs from agencies