Russian President Vladimir Putin commemorated his first visit to North Korea in 24 years by presenting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with a Russian-manufactured Aurus limousine.
Yuri Ushakov, a Kremlin aide, told the TASS news agency on the 19th that “Putin and Kim exchanged gifts.”
Putin presented Kim with the prestigious Aurus, a top-tier Russian limousine he had previously gifted to him in February.
Often referred to as the Russian version of a Rolls Royce, the Aurus Senat limousine is Putin’s official vehicle. Renowned for its luxury, the car is reported to be bulletproof and can withstand explosives and grenade attacks.
With prices ranging between 40 million and 80 million rubles(approximately $420,000 to $840,000), the Aurus Senat model is available in Russia, depending on the selected features.
Following their summit at the Kumsusan Palace, Putin and Kim took turns driving the Aurus.
The gifted car’s license plate number carries symbolic significance. In addition to displaying the North Korean flag, the numbers “7 27 1953” are printed. July 27, 1953, is the date of the Korean War Armistice Agreement, commemorated as Victory Day in North Korea.
In a video released by foreign media, Putin and Kim showcased their camaraderie by taking turns driving the Aurus after their summit at the Kumsusan Palace. Putin was the first to take the wheel with Kim by his side, driving around the vicinity of the guest house. Afterward, the two walked in a rose-filled garden with only their interpreters.
Following their walk, Kim assumed the driver’s seat, and they returned to the guest house.
Putin’s gift of a car to Kim violates the sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council on North Korea. Not only does it fall under the category of luxury goods whose transfer to North Korea is prohibited, but the direct or indirect supply, sale, or transfer of vehicles to North Korea has also been banned since UN Security Council Resolution 2397 was adopted in December 2017.
