Kim Jong Un, the General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of North Korea, received a car as a gift from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
North Korean state-run media reported that Putin’s “Russian-made special car” gift to Kim was handed over to Party Secretary Pak Jong Chon and Kim’s sister, senior Pyongyang official Kim Yo Jong, by the Russian side on the 18th.
Kim Yo Jong stated, “This gift is a powerful testament to the unique personal relationship between our leaders.” She also relayed Kim Jong Un’s heartfelt thanks to Putin, sharing that the message was respectfully passed on to the Russian side, as noted by the press.
However, they did not reveal the specific model of the car President Putin gifted, which could potentially violate the resolution of sanctions against North Korea. Resolution No.2397 bans the direct and indirect supply, sale, or transfer of vehicles to North Korea.
The gift symbolizes strengthening ties between North Korea and Russia, which have been growing since last year.
Following a summit in September of the previous year, North Korea and Russia have deepened their defense cooperation, including arms trading. A North Korean agricultural technology delegation recently visited Russia, and a tourist group from Russia’s Primorsky Krai traveled to North Korea, broadening cooperation between the two nations.
yellowapollo@news1.kr