Olena Buturlim16:29, 08/13/24

This is the latest model of the Mercedes-Benz SUV.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has added a new luxury car to his collection. This calls into question the effectiveness of tough sanctions that prohibit the export of luxury goods to the country, writes The Independent .

The latest model of the Mercedes-Benz SUV was said to have been seen leaving Kim Jong-un’s armored train during his visit to flood-hit areas, Yonhap news agency reported.

Arriving in Uiju County in North Pyongan Province on August 9, Kim addressed the public from the carriage of his train. In photos released by North Korean media, he is standing next to a Mercedes Maybach GLS 600, the top-of-the-line facelifted version of the car that was unveiled in South Korea in April. 

According to journalists, the car costs from $175,500 to $227,400 in the US and over £108,000 in the UK.

The car collection of the North Korean leader includes a Mercedes-Maybach S600 Guard, a fifth-generation American-made Cadillac Escalade, a Rolls Royce Phantom and armored Lexus sedans.

At the same time, North Korea is prohibited from purchasing luxury goods as part of a broader set of international sanctions aimed at curbing the country’s nuclear program. The sanctions are intended to limit the resources available to the North Korean government, particularly those that could be used to develop weapons of mass destruction. Sanctions were first imposed in 2006 after the country conducted its first nuclear test.

In addition, Kim Jong-un’s use of foreign cars is contrary to his government’s policy of preventing foreign influence on society through music, art, news and movies.  

According to the Center for Advanced Defense Studies, from 2015 to 2017, 90 countries served as a source of supply of luxury goods to North Korea. This year, Russian leader Vladimir Putin gifted two cars to the North Korean leader as their countries deepen ties.

Isolation of the DPRK

South Korea’s Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said that North Korea may be planning a nuclear test before the US presidential election to boost its credibility. 

South Korea and the United States will begin annual summer military exercises aimed at strengthening the countries’ ability to counter North Korea’s weapons and cyber threats.

(C)UNIAN 2024