NEW DELHI: Vladimir Putin visited North Korea on Wednesday, marking his first visit in 24 years and presented a luxury Aurus limousine to Kim Jong-Un, highlighting the strengthening strategic partnership between Russia and North Korea amidst concerns about their escalating military cooperation.
The Russian president, 71, gifted the Aurus luxury car to Kim, marking the second time the North Korean leader has received this car model from Putin.Alongside the car, Putin also presented a tea set to Kim.
The meeting was punctuated by a test drive where Putin took the 40-year-old North Korean leader for a spin in the Russian-made Aurus car, concluding their day’s discussions.
This exchange follows Kim’s visit to Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome space launch site last September, where he was shown a model of an Aurus Motors executive car by Putin.
Putin had previously gifted an Aurus to Kim in February this year, making him the first leader to receive one as a gift, according to Tass. The model of this vehicle was not disclosed at the time.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov explained the rationale for this initial gift. “When the leader of the DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] was at the Vostochny Cosmodrome spaceport, he saw this car; Putin personally showed it to him. Like many [auto enthusiasts], he liked the car, and so the decision was made (to present it to him as a gift),” Peskov said.
Aurus, Russia’s first luxury car brand, was initiated in 2013 under a contract with the industry and trade ministry. The project aimed to develop vehicles for both senior government officials and the general public.
Overall, the exchange of gifts and the friendly dialogues underscore the deepening ties between Russia and North Korea. This relationship has drawn international attention, primarily due to military and geopolitical contexts involving Moscow’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the broader implications for global security.
This gift exchange was part of a high-profile meeting where both leaders pledged to support each other in times of attack. During the visit, Putin said that Russia-North Korea relations have been elevated to a ‘new level.’
The Russian president, 71, gifted the Aurus luxury car to Kim, marking the second time the North Korean leader has received this car model from Putin.Alongside the car, Putin also presented a tea set to Kim.
The meeting was punctuated by a test drive where Putin took the 40-year-old North Korean leader for a spin in the Russian-made Aurus car, concluding their day’s discussions.
This exchange follows Kim’s visit to Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome space launch site last September, where he was shown a model of an Aurus Motors executive car by Putin.
Putin had previously gifted an Aurus to Kim in February this year, making him the first leader to receive one as a gift, according to Tass. The model of this vehicle was not disclosed at the time.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov explained the rationale for this initial gift. “When the leader of the DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] was at the Vostochny Cosmodrome spaceport, he saw this car; Putin personally showed it to him. Like many [auto enthusiasts], he liked the car, and so the decision was made (to present it to him as a gift),” Peskov said.
Aurus, Russia’s first luxury car brand, was initiated in 2013 under a contract with the industry and trade ministry. The project aimed to develop vehicles for both senior government officials and the general public.
Overall, the exchange of gifts and the friendly dialogues underscore the deepening ties between Russia and North Korea. This relationship has drawn international attention, primarily due to military and geopolitical contexts involving Moscow’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the broader implications for global security.
This gift exchange was part of a high-profile meeting where both leaders pledged to support each other in times of attack. During the visit, Putin said that Russia-North Korea relations have been elevated to a ‘new level.’