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Prestige object: An Aurus Senat at a presentation in Moscow in 2018
Photo: MAXIM SHEMETOV/ REUTERS
He received Russian President Vladimir Putin's luxury car on February 18th, and now North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has dared to drive in it in public for the first time.
State media released a statement from Kim's sister Kim Yo Jong.
She was also the one who took delivery of the car in February.
Now she praised the car highly.
The Auris Senat, which Putin had sent from Russia, has 598 hp, a nine-speed automatic transmission - and is said to be able to withstand even machine gun fire.
“The special function” of the limousine is “perfect” and you can “completely trust” the car, says the statement from North Korea.
The fact that Kim used the "gifted private car" is "clear evidence of the North Korean-Russian friendship, which is developing in a comprehensive way to a new high level."
Kim Jong Un owns several luxury cars, including a Rolls-Royce and two Mercedes-Maybach S600 Pullman Guards.
He is also said to own a Maybach S62.
He got to know the Aurus Senate during his visit to Russia last September.
Vladimir Putin presented it personally.
Actually, the luxury cars shouldn't even make it into the country because of the economic sanctions against North Korea decided by the UN.
The country, which is ruled authoritarianly by Kim Jong Un, is subject to international sanctions because of its nuclear weapons program.
According to US research, Russia has already helped with logistics in the past.
A UN expert report recently said that North Korea imported significantly more goods in 2023 and expanded its trade with its new partner Russia.
The US government announced in October that North Korea had sent military equipment and ammunition to Russia for the war of aggression against Ukraine.
South Korea also accuses North Korea of supporting Russia in the war against Ukraine with weapons and ammunition - apparently including ballistic missiles.
Putin's trip to North Korea is still pending.
vet/AP