Russia-North Korea relations expand as Kim Jong Un drives limousine gifted by President Putin

In February, President Putin sent Mr. Kim a luxury Aurus Senat limousine. State media quoted Kim Yo Jong, the North Korean leader's sister, as saying that Mr. Kim used the limousine for the first time at an opening event on March 15.

"The car's special functions are perfect and very reliable. The fact that Mr. Kim Jong Un used a private car sent by the President of the Russian Federation as a gift is clear evidence that the friendship is developing comprehensively to a new level," Ms. Kim Yo Jong emphasized.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: AP

Aurus is Russia's first luxury car brand and has been used in the motorcades of senior officials since Mr Putin first used an Aurus limousine at his inauguration in 2018.

Kim Jong Un, 40, owns a collection of foreign-made luxury cars. During a visit to Russia, he was seen traveling between meetings in a Maybach limousine. Other limousines Kim is said to have used include the Mercedes-Maybach S600 Pullman Guard and the Maybach S62.

Over the past year, North Korea and Russia have stepped up military and other cooperation as both countries confront the West over different issues: North Korea over its growing nuclear program and Russia over its war in Ukraine.

Russia, along with China, has repeatedly blocked the United States and its allies from imposing new sanctions on North Korea over its ballistic missile tests.

North Korean state media reported on March 16 that Kim Jong Un had supervised parachute training the previous day. It is unclear whether Kim used a Russian limousine to travel to the training.

Ngoc Anh (according to AP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/ong-kim-jong-un-lai-chiec-limousine-do-tong-thong-putin-tang-post288184.html