Russian President Vladimir Putin gifted a Russian-made vehicle to North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un to show their special relationship. In the news of North Korean state media dated February 20, 2024, it was not stated what type of vehicle it was or how it was sent. However, observers have noted that the move could violate a United Nations (UN) resolution banning the provision of luxury items in an attempt to force North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons.[1]
Kim Jong Un’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, and another North Korean official accepted the gift on February 18, 2024, and stated that Kim conveyed his thanks to Putin. Kim Yo Jong said that the gift shows the special personal relationship between the leaders. North Korea and Russia have significantly increased their cooperation since Kim travelled to Russia for a summit with Putin in September 2023. During Kim’s visit to Russia’s main spaceport, Putin showed the North Korean leader his personal Aurus Senat limousine, and Kim sat in the back seat of the vehicle. At the same time, during his visit to Russia, Kim travelled between the meeting points in a Maybach brand limousine brought with him in one of the special train wagons.[2]
According to Russia’s state-backed Tass news agency; Aurus is known as the Russian luxury car brand and has been used in the motorcades of high-level officials, including Putin, since his inauguration in 2018. Kim is known to own many foreign-made luxury vehicles that are believed to have been smuggled into North Korea. During a previous visit to Russia, Kim had two limousines waiting for him at Vladivostok station. One was the Mercedes Maybach S600 Pullman Guard and the other was the Mercedes Maybach S62. It is also alleged that in 2018, Kim used a black Mercedes limousine on his way home after meeting with South Korea’s then-President Moon Jae-in in the Korean border village.[3] It can be argued that all of this proves a situation that is contrary to the UN decision. Because North Korea should not be able to reach the Mercedes brand, which is a German brand.
The fact that Kim owns such expensive foreign limousines shows the ineffectiveness of international sanctions on North Korea. Russia supported the decision banning the supply of luxury goods to North Korea. However, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), he did not veto the decision.
The expansion of relations between North Korea and Russia comes at a time when both are engaged in separate conflicts with the United States (US) and its allies. North Korea is in this competition due to the advancement of its nuclear program. Russia, on the other hand, has very tense relations with the West due to the long-term war with Ukraine. The United States accuses South Korea and its partners of sending conventional weapons to North Korea’s war in Ukraine, while claiming that they received materials from Russia for high-tech Russian weapons technologies and other support in return.[4]
This incident highlights the importance of personal relationships and examples of diplomacy between leaders in international relations. The vehicle that Vladimir Putin gifted to Kim Jong Un was used not only as a gift, but also as a symbol to show the depth and special nature of the relations between the two leaders. However, this move may also be aimed at defying international sanctions and diplomatic norms.
The UN has a resolution banning the provision of luxury items to North Korea, and the gift in question could be perceived as a potential violation of this ban. The fact that Russia gave such a gift despite this decision may show that it cares about Putin and Russia’s relations with North Korea and especially his personal relationship with Kim Jong Un. This may suggest that Putin adopts a pragmatic approach to international politics and acts in line with his own strategic interests.
On the other hand, this gift can also be considered as an indicator of increasing cooperation between North Korea and Russia. The two countries tend to cooperate based on common interests due to their tense relations with the USA and other Western countries. The importance of such gestures may increase, especially given that Russia wants to take a greater role as an actor in international negotiations regarding North Korea’s nuclear program.
This giveaway could also raise doubts about the effectiveness and enforceability of international sanctions. The fact that Kim Jong Un smuggled many luxury vehicles into North Korea may indicate that international sanctions are frequently violated and this is not preventable. This may suggest that the international community should develop more effective strategies, in addition to sanctions, to control North Korea’s nuclear program.
As a result, while the vehicle that Putin gifted to Kim Jong Un emphasizes the importance of personal relations and diplomatic gestures between leaders in international relations, it also raises questions about the effectiveness and applicability of international sanctions. Such events may cause the international community to review and re-evaluate its diplomatic and strategic efforts.
[1] “Putin Gave Kim Jong Un a Russian-Made Car in a Show of Their Special Ties, North Korea Says”, Associated Press News, https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-kim-russia-putin-car-gift-d5cca38b2d7f1076e05c7da961b77834, (Date of Access: 20.02.2024).
[2] “From Russia with love: Putin Gives Kim Jong Un Car in Show of ‘Special’ Friendship”, Politico, https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-love-vladimir-putin-gifts-kim-jong-un-north-korea-luxury-car-show-special-friendship/, (Date of Access: 20.02.2024).
[3] “Putin Gifts Car to Kim Jong Un in Sign of ‘Special Personal Relations,’ North Korean State Media Reports”, Cable News Network, https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/20/asia/putin-kim-jong-un-gift-car-intl-hnk/index.html, (Date of Access: 20.02.2024).
[4] Aynı yer.
