Kim Jong Un's new armored limousine from Putin symbolizes deepening Russia-North Korea ties

For the first time, Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, undertook an official trip in the luxurious, armored Aurus Senat limousine this week. This prestigious vehicle, a gift from the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, was highlighted by the government agency KCNA as a  significant symbol of Russian-North Korean friendship.

Kim Yo Jong, the sister of the North Korean leader and a high-ranking official in the Workers' Party of Korea leadership, issued a special statement. In her message, she highlighted that "the use for official purposes by Comrade Kim Jong Un of the limousine gifted by the President of the Russian Federation is a visible affirmation of the deep friendship between the DPRK and Russia, which is strengthening and developing comprehensively".

Russian President Vladimir Putin gifted Kim Jong Un a luxurious, made-in-Russia Aurus Senat limousine. This transfer took place in the autumn of 2023 when a North Korean delegation visited the Russian Far East, including the "Vostochny" cosmodrome. The car was dispatched to Pyongyang in February of the same year.

Russian media report that the ceremonial armored Aurus Senat, dubbed a "tank on wheels," features a hybrid propulsion system. It houses a roughly 4.4-litre V8 gasoline engine under the bonnet.

Known to be a car enthusiast, Kim owns a collection of luxury foreign cars, likely smuggled into North Korea. In September, during a visit to Russia, Putin introduced him to his own limousine and invited him to sit in the back seat, as Reuters highlights.

While in Russia, Kim traveled in his Maybach, which he had brought from Pyongyang by special train. This Maybach, along with other luxury vehicles such as Mercedes, Rolls-Royce, and Lexus, which have been spotted with Kim, are goods prohibited from sale to North Korea under United Nations Security Council resolutions.