Russian President Vladimir Putin has gifted a state-of-the-art limousine to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in a bid to reaffirm ties between the two nations.
The car is said to be for Kim Jong-un’s “personal use”, according to official North Korean media, with the Supreme Leader believed to be a keen petrolhead.
Putin’s gift was confirmed by North Korea’s state media outlet KCNA, although it did not specify what the vehicle model was.
It has been suggested that the vehicle is an Aurus Senat armoured sedan or limousine. These are developed in Moscow and assembled in Yelabuga, Tatarstan in eastern Russia.
Vladimir Putin has used an armoured Aurus Senat on a number of state visits
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The Aurus Senat has been described as “the embodiment of the dignity and power inherent in the Russian character”.
The large SUV-style limousine has a similar exterior to a Bentley Flying Spur and comes equipped with a hybrid powertrain with a 4.4-litre V8 twin-turbo petrol engine.
It has a maximum speed of 250km/h (155mph) and can accelerate from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in just six seconds.
Aurus also sells the Komendant, a full-size luxury SUV that can be used in a motorcade. Other models include the Arsenal passenger van and the Senat Convertible.
The Aurus Senat was originally set to go on sale for $245,000 (£195,000), although some estimates suggest this could rise to as much as $300,000 (£238,000) or 27.7 million Russian Rubles.
In September, Kim Jong-un visited Vladimir Putin at Russia’s space launch station in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, and was seen inspecting Putin’s Aurus Senat limousine and was even invited to sit in the back.
Kim himself drove to the site in a Maybach limousine which was transported from Pyongyang onboard a special train.
KCNA reported that the North Korean leader’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, said: “[North Korea has] courteously conveyed Kim Jong Un's thanks to Putin to the Russian side, saying that the gift serves as a clear demonstration of the special personal relations between the top leaders."
The gift from Putin to Kim Jong-un may have broken UN rules
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According to Reuters, Kim is believed to be a keen enthusiast of luxury vehicles and has a large collection of vehicles believed to have been smuggled in.
He has also been seen in several Mercedes limousines, a Rolls-Royce Phantom and a Lexus SUV.
Some experts have suggested that the “personal gift” from Putin has broken the United Nations Security Council resolutions, which Russia has agreed to.
Lim Soo-suk, a spokesperson for South Korea’s foreign ministry said: Security Council sanctions on North Korea prohibit directly or indirectly supplying, selling or moving all transportation vehicles internationally categorised as HS code 86 through to 89 regardless of their origin to North Korea including luxury cars.”
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Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin met in September
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North Korea has been accused of supplying artillery, rockets and ballistic missiles to Russia for use in the war with Ukraine, although the Kremlin and Pyongyang have denied the accusations.
