Familiar 'H Logo' Next to Kim Jong-un's Benz... Under Tight Security, It Was a Hyundai Staria

Presumed Use of 'Staria' by Kim Jong-un During Russia Visit
North Korea Avoids Mentioning South Korea Even in Sports Broadcasts
Hyundai Logo Fully Exposed... Deemed "Unusual"

It was revealed that North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un used a Hyundai Motor minivan as a security vehicle during his visit to Russia.

North Korea's state-run Korean Central Television (KCTV) aired a documentary titled "A Historic Occasion Marking a New Milestone in North Korea-Russia Relations" on the 20th.

A Hyundai car captured in the motorcade of Kim Jong-un's security detail in the documentary titled "A Historic Milestone Marking the Development of North Korea-Russia Relations," aired on June 20 by North Korea's state-run Korean Central TV.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the footage, the Mercedes-Benz vehicle presumed to be carrying Chairman Kim was escorted by four large black vans, one of which clearly displayed the Hyundai Motor H emblem. All the other security vehicles also appeared to be Hyundai's minivan, the Staria.

The Staria is a multipurpose vehicle (MPV) in the form of a minivan released by Hyundai Motor in 2021, 22 years after the 'Trajet XG.' It features a sleek, spaceship-like curved exterior and a spacious interior, making it suitable for various purposes due to its ample internal space.

At the time, Chairman Kim was traveling from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia's Far East Amur Oblast, where he held a summit with President Vladimir Putin, to the Vladivostok area in Primorsky Krai.

Considering that this footage was not broadcast live but edited and aired as a documentary, the direct exposure of the Hyundai Motor logo is interpreted as unusual.

North Korea is known for not mentioning South Korea even in sports broadcasts, except for propaganda aimed at the South. They have edited out the Taegeukgi (South Korean flag) and made Hyundai Motor advertisements at the 2022 Qatar World Cup stadiums unreadable.

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un, who is visiting Russia, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the 13th (local time) at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Amur Oblast, Russia.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, Chairman Kim departed from Pyongyang on the 10th, held a summit with President Putin in Russia on the 12th, toured various parts of Russia's Far East, and completed a 5-night, 6-day visit to Russia by the 17th.

On the 20th (local time), President Yoon Suk-yeol warned at the 78th United Nations General Assembly that the military exchanges between Russia and North Korea could strengthen North Korea's nuclear and missile technology, stating, "The Republic of Korea and its allies and partners will not stand idly by."