This is an unusual gift between two leaders.
A Russian-made car was gifted by Russian President Vladimir Putin to North Korean leader Kim Jong Jun, North Korean state media announced on Tuesday.
This is part of a context of strengthening ties between the two countries.
The South Korean Ministry of Unification estimated that Moscow's gift to the North Korean leader constituted a violation of the sanctions imposed on Pyongyang by the United Nations in 2017, also signed by Russia, which target any import of vehicles in North Korea.
“We condemn North Korea for its brazen attitude of publicly revealing violations of UN sanctions,” a ministry official who did not wish to be named told reporters.
“Russia must also be aware of its responsibility as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and put an end to any acts that undermine international norms,” the official added.
The type of car not specified
Kim Jong Un “was gifted a Russian-made car for his personal use by Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, President of the Russian Federation,” state news agency KCNA reported.
Kim Jong Un's powerful sister, Yo Jong, said the "gift (was) a clear demonstration of the special personal relations between the top leaders" of the two countries, the North Korean agency added.
The vehicle model was not specified in this publication.
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Since the North Korean leader's visit to Russia last year, Pyongyang, Russia's long-time ally, has moved even closer to Moscow.
A group of Russian tourists arrived earlier this month for a four-day trip, the first known foreign group to visit the country since the pandemic-related border closures.
After the September summit between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin in the Russian Far East, the United States and South Korea repeatedly claimed that the North had shipped weapons to Moscow for use in its war with Ukraine, in exchange for Russian help on North Korean satellite programs.
Both sides said the Russian leader was expected to make another visit to Pyongyang.
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Kim Jong Un is renowned for his taste in luxury cars.
It has been spotted in Lexus SUVs and Mercedes-Benz S-class models. A 2021 United Nations report notes an attempt to ship luxury vehicles worth more than $1 million dollars from the United Arab Emirates to Ningbo, China, for onward delivery to North Korea.
During the North Korean leader's visit to Russia last year, Vladimir Putin invited him to ride in the back seat of his Aurus Senat presidential limousine.
The North Korean leader arrived there in his Maybach limousine, transported by a special train from North Korea.