Putin drives Kim Jong Un in Russian limo, gifts it to him
4:04 PM EDT, June 20, 2024
Vladimir Putin has decided to strengthen his friendship with Kim Jong Un. The Russian leader invited the North Korean dictator for a ride in a Russian limousine. Surprisingly, Putin was driving the car, while Kim Jong Un smiled broadly from the passenger seat. The culmination of this event was gifting the car to the North Korean leader.
The two-day Russian diplomatic mission in North Korea ended on Wednesday, June 19. Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un signed a mutual military aid agreement.
The Russian leader appeared in Pyongyang for the first time in over 20 years. The visit was filled with many gestures of friendship between the two nations.
On the last day of the Russian diplomatic mission in the world's most isolated country, Putin decided to please Kim Jong Un one last time. It is common knowledge that the leader from Pyongyang has a weakness for automobiles. Therefore, the Russian leader invited his host for a ride in a luxurious Russian limousine.
Putin as Kim Jong Un's driver
Russian television published a video of the ride. It shows Putin driving the exclusive Aurus Senat limousine with Kim Jong Un in the passenger seat. They drove through a park in Pyongyang with smiles on their faces. At the end, the North Korean leader was even more delighted as the Russian visitor gifted him the car they had driven.
Aurus Senat is a product of Russian technology. The car weighs 6.8 tons and is 22 feet long. The limousine has 598 HP, a maximum torque of 880 Nm, all-wheel drive, and a 9-speed automatic transmission.
Kim's impressive car collection (despite sanctions)
Kim Jong Un possesses a large collection of luxurious foreign cars. They were most likely smuggled into North Korea, as UN Security Council resolutions prohibit the export of luxury goods to that country.
The North Korean leader has been seen in a Maybach and several Mercedes cars. His collection also includes a Rolls-Royce Phantom and a sporty Lexus. In February, Putin gifted Kim an Aurus Senat. Since June 19, the dictator has had two limousines in his garage.