Audi at Masikryong Ski Resort, Premium Liquor in Department Stores... North Korea Defies Sanctions

Audi states it has never sold directly or indirectly
Daesung Department Store, remodeled last year, lined with premium liquors

The image of an Audi Q7 vehicle found at the Masikryong Resort in North Korea, revealed on the 28th (local time) through the interim report of the expert panel by the UN Security Council's North Korea Sanctions Committee. The Sanctions Committee pointed out that North Korea continues to import luxury goods to evade sanctions. [Image source: Interim report of the expert panel of the North Korea Sanctions Committee]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] It has been revealed that luxury goods such as Audi vehicles and imported premium liquors are prominently displayed in Pyongyang department stores in North Korea, where the import of luxury goods is banned under international sanctions. It has been pointed out that North Korea continues to import luxury goods through various channels to evade sanctions.

According to a mid-term report by the expert panel of the UN Security Council's North Korea Sanctions Committee released on the 28th (local time), Audi vehicles from the German automaker were recently detected under surveillance in North Korea. The Sanctions Committee released a photo of an Audi Q7 taken at the Masikryong Ski Resort last December. Regarding the Audi Q7 bearing Pyongyang license plates, the report stated that it is "a vehicle prepared for a very important person."

Imported luxury vehicles are classified as luxury goods under the UN Security Council's North Korea sanctions resolutions, and their export to North Korea is prohibited. Audi expressed regret to the Sanctions Committee over the sighting of the Q7 in North Korea, stating that they do not sell any vehicles to North Korea, either directly or indirectly.

The appearance of the luxury liquor store at Daesong Department Store in Pyongyang, North Korea, revealed through the interim report of the expert panel by the UN Security Council's North Korea Sanctions Committee on the 28th (local time). [Image source= Interim report of the expert panel of the North Korea Sanctions Committee]

Audi, which has expressed its intention to comply with UN sanctions, stated that the vehicle in the photo appears to have been manufactured between 2012 and 2015. Regarding Japanese Toyota vehicles reportedly found in North Korea, Toyota informed the Sanctions Committee that among the Lexus LX570 and LS460L models seen in North Korea, the LS model was manufactured between October 2009 and June 2012. The Italian exterior company 'European Cars,' which sold the Mercedes-Maybach S600 used by North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un, explained to the UN that they believed they were selling to a Hong Kong company and never thought the vehicle would be sold to North Korea.

Additionally, photos were released showing imported premium liquors prominently displayed at the Pyongyang Taesong Department Store, which reopened last April after remodeling. The Pyongyang Taesong Department Store is known as a major outlet for luxury goods sales and is reportedly managed by the Workers' Party of Korea's Office 39, which is responsible for Chairman Kim's ruling funds. The report also revealed that over 100,000 bottles of Belarusian and Russian vodka, believed to have been imported into North Korea last year, were recorded by a UN member state.