Russian President Vladimir Putin's unique gift to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the luxury sedan 'Aurus Senat', has stirred a row on how Moscow chose to violate the U.N. sanctions against Pyongyang that ban the supply, sale and transfer of luxury goods, including automobiles.
The vehicle was delivered to Kim's top aides by Russia on Sunday, the official KCNA news agency said, quoting Kim's sister who "courteously conveyed Kim Jong Un's thanks to Putin. She added that the gift demonstrated the special personal relations between the top leaders.
While the KCNA report did not carry photos or details of the car, press secretary of Russian President Dmitry Peskov confirmed to RIA Novosti that Kim Jong-un was presented with an Aurus car. "Yes. This is an Aurus car," Peskov said.
The Aurus Senat Limousine is Putin's official vehicle and he is the first president of Russia to use a car developed in Russia in 2018. Aurus Senat was custom-made for Putin and the project was codenamed "Cortege'.
The vehicle, which many say is modelled on Rolls-Royce Phantom luxury sedan, measures 5631 mm from nose to tail and weighs 2700kg but Putin’s Senate stretches to 6700mm. It also includes bulletproof armour, reinforced glass, bomb-resistant underfloor protection, solid 'run-flat' rubber tyres, integrated "offensive" weapons and a self-contained oxygen supply. It also boasts a secure-line communication system.
The car had earlier caught Kim Jong Un's attention as the Korean leader was seen inspecting the vehicle while visiting Russia's space launch station last September. Putin had then invited Kim, an avid auto enthusiast, to climb into the back seat.
Kim himself drove to the site in a Maybach limousine that was brought onboard a special train he travelled in from Pyongyang. Despite the sanctions, he was often seen driving in luxury foreign vehicles, including Maybach, Mercedes limousines, a Rolls-Royce Phantom and a Lexus sports utility vehicle. Many believe these vehicles were smuggled into the country.
Meanwhile, the gift has not amused South Korea as the country's unification ministry condemned the move. "We condemned North Korea for its brazen attitude of publicly revealing the violation of the U.N. sanctions. Russia should also be aware of its responsibility as a permanent member of the UNSC and stop an act that undermines international norms," a ministry official told reporters.
He said the government will cooperate with the international community to deal with the acts by North Korea and Russia to violate the UNSC resolutions.