Washington, D.C.: Russian President Vladimir Putin recently surprised the world with a lavish gesture, gifting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un a Russia-made luxury car. While the exact model remained initially undisclosed, subsequent confirmation revealed it to be an Aurus Senat, also serving as the official presidential vehicle in Russia. However, amid the exchange of diplomatic pleasantries, questions arise regarding the legality of this extravagant gift. The United States, in particular, has raised concerns, citing international sanctions that explicitly prohibit the transfer of vehicles to North Korea.
In a light-hearted yet pointed remark to the press, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller quipped about the practicalities of the gift, pondering whether Kim Jong Un secured an extended warranty for the vehicle. “I hope Kim got the extended warranty,” he jestingly remarked. “I’m not sure if I was buying a luxury car Russia would be the place I would look. I actually, frankly, didn’t know there was such a thing as a Russian luxury car.”
Miller went on to underscore the serious implications of the gift, emphasizing its violation of international sanctions imposed on North Korea. “UN Security Council resolutions do require all UN member states to prohibit both the supply of transportation vehicles and the supply of luxury automobiles to the DPRK,” he pointed out. “And if this is true, it would appear to be once again Russia violating UN Security Council resolutions that it itself supported.”
Similar concerns were echoed by officials in South Korea, expressing reservations about the gift’s compliance with sanctions. However, Russian authorities swiftly dismissed these allegations. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, addressing the issue via her Telegram account as reported by Russia’s RT news outlet, suggested that any queries regarding compliance with UN sanctions should be directed to the UN Security Council sanctions committee. She also hinted at potential external pressures influencing South Korea’s stance on legitimate trade relations.
The UN Security Council’s sanctions against North Korea encompass a broad range of prohibited items, including luxury vehicles, imposed as punitive measures against the country’s nuclear weapons program.
Despite the diplomatic controversy, Russian officials have portrayed Putin’s gift as emblematic of the special relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang. Notably, Kim Jong Un is known to possess an array of luxury car models, including the Mercedes Maybach S600 Pullman Guard and the Mercedes Maybach S62.
