Luxury Goods Subject to North Korea Sanctions... "Message of Sanctions Ineffectiveness"
Kim Jong-un Wearing a 14 Million Won IWC Wristwatch
Kim Ju-ae, the daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, was seen wearing a coat from a luxury brand during the observation of the test launch of the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) 'Hwasong-17' on the 16th. Despite reports of severe food shortages causing widespread starvation across various regions, criticism is emerging that the lavish lifestyle of the North Korean leadership remains unchanged.
According to authorities on the 23rd, in footage released by North Korea's Korean Central Television on the 17th, Kim Ju-ae appeared at the inspection site alongside Chairman Kim Jong-un wearing a black coat. The coat features a pattern of overlapping squares and diamonds, which matches the distinctive pattern of the French luxury brand 'Christian Dior.'
The product is sold on Dior's official website for $1,900 (approximately 2.43 million KRW), and if sized for a 10-year-old, corresponding to Kim Ju-ae's age group, the price rises to $2,800 (approximately 3.58 million KRW). Previously, Chairman Kim was also criticized when, during the October 2020 military parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of the party's founding, he portrayed a compassionate leader urging to "overcome disaster," yet was spotted wearing a Swiss IWC wristwatch worth about 14 million KRW while wiping away tears.
Since last year, it has been reported that starvation deaths have been occurring not only in peripheral areas such as North Hamgyong Province but also in Kaesong, considered a 'wealthy district.' Despite such food shortages, it has been revealed that the 'Baekdu bloodline' is dressed in luxury clothing, prompting criticism of the North Korean leadership's extravagance.
A 50-year-old female North Korean defector named Lee said, "Just seeing her looking plump makes my blood boil, but how can she appear adorned in luxury goods like that?" and criticized, "It is questionable whether Kim Jong-un has any intention to resolve the food crisis."
In September 2012, North Korean farmers in Kaesong are sorting harvested corn in the field. [Image source=Getty Images]
In particular, since luxury goods are subject to sanctions against North Korea, some view this as sending a message of 'sanctions ineffectiveness.' Choi Kyung-hee, head of the Sand Institute, said, "It is difficult for residents to recognize that Kim Ju-ae's coat is a luxury item," adding, "It is a message sent externally that 'sanctions against North Korea are being nullified.'"
Professor Ha Seung-hee of Dongguk University's North Korean Studies Institute also analyzed, "There have been instances where some residents were seen using luxury goods on North Korea-operated YouTube channels," and added, "It seems to imply to the international community that sanctions against North Korea are ineffective, rather than conveying an internal message."
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