Last February, Kim Jong-un received a car from his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin: an Aurus limousine. But the origin of some of the parts could make this vehicle a poisoned chalice.
Almost a week ago now, the two heads of state, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un, met to show the world the strengthening of ties between the two men. They notably traveled in an Aurus limousine, a Russian car that the master of the Kremlin had given to his counterpart. But customs documents show that parts could come from a neighboring country, which the North Korean President appreciates, indicates Reuters.
A gift from the “country’s main enemy”
For his visit to Pyongyang, Vladimir Putin did not come empty-handed. A very luxurious car was also part of the trip: an Aurus Senat limousine, this was the presidential model that Kim Jong-un had already received as a gift last February.
But the manufacturing of this vehicle could pose a problem. Indeed, customs documents attest that parts coming from South Korea would arrive in Russia. South Korea is the “main enemy of his country”, assure Kim Jong-un.
If this is surprising, this is not a small import, since between 2018 and 2023, equipment and components, intended for the assembly of cars, worth at least 34 million dollars, were imported, assures the news agency. More precisely, these would be programmable controllers, body parts, welding equipment, switches, for a total of 15.5 million dollars coming from South Korea.
While Reuters was unable to determine what parts were added to the Aurus vehicles specifically, Russia, which is under international sanctions over the war in Ukraine that began in February 2022, continues to take them.
What is the Aurus car?
What is interesting is to see the characteristics of this vehicle, which is considered “a fortress on wheels for the president”. While this model, called Aurus, is already produced in Russia, the presidential version is a little different. “Everything has been thought of to ensure maximum security for the master of the Kremlin”explains the news channel.
Beyond its protective functions, the Aurus is also a mobile command post equipped with communications equipment. This car can also be completely airtight, so that no gas can enter the passenger compartment, explains Mark Galeotti, historian and specialist in security issues in Russia. He adds that the Aurus is completely armored, that it can withstand point-blank weapon fire.
