Surviving Even When Drowned... '500 Million to 1.1 Billion' Aurus Gifted by Putin to Kim Jong-un [News Terms]

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Russian President Vladimir Putin gifted North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un a Russian-made limousine, the 'Aurus.'

On the 19th, Russian news agency TASS cited Yuri Ushakov, a Kremlin foreign affairs advisor, reporting that President Putin presented Kim with an Aurus vehicle, a tea set, and a naval general's dagger. This is the second time Putin has gifted an Aurus limousine, following the first gift in February.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

'Aurus' is Russia's top-tier ceremonial vehicle and a luxury car brand produced in Russia. Often referred to as the Russian Rolls-Royce, the Aurus Senat limousine is a high-end sedan used as President Putin's official state car.

The vehicle is a joint project launched by Russia's state-owned Central Scientific Research Automobile and Engine Institute (NAMI), responsible for assembly, and Porsche, which designed the engine. The Aurus Senat model is also sold for civilian use, with prices ranging from 40 million to 80 million rubles (approximately 500 million to 1.1 billion KRW) depending on options in Russia. The name Aurus is derived by combining the Latin word for gold, 'Aurum,' and the first letters of 'Russia.'

Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, spent time together and strengthened their friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the garden area of the Kumsusan Guesthouse, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 20th. They took turns driving the Aurus car that President Putin gifted to Chairman Kim and drove around the guesthouse premises.
[Photo by Pyongyang Korean Central News Agency/Yonhap News]

During the Soviet era, the only armored vehicle was the 'Zil.' However, after the Soviet Union's collapse, Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev used the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Pullman Guard as the official state car instead of the heavy and outdated Zil. After Putin took power, he ordered the direct production of a state head's official car, initiating Project 'Kortezh' in 2012. The first prototype was developed in 2017, and the Aurus was unveiled at the 2018 presidential inauguration.

According to foreign media reports, 12.4 billion rubles (about 170 billion KRW) were invested in the design and production of the vehicle. It weighs a massive 7 tons, comparable to an armored vehicle, and offers protection against chemical weapons, bombs, and other external attacks. It also has a very high survival rate for occupants even if submerged in water. The car features 6 cm thick reinforced glass, night vision cameras, emergency escape exits, and tires designed to run for extended periods even if punctured.

Chosun Central TV reported that on April 16, a completion ceremony for the second phase of residential houses in the Hwaseong district of Pyongyang was held with North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un in attendance. Chairman Kim attended the event riding in an 'Aurus' car gifted by Russian President Vladimir Putin and personally cut the completion tape.
[Photo by Chosun Central TV / Yonhap News]

Early that morning, President Putin arrived at Pyongyang Sunan Airport and traveled together with Kim Jong-un in the Aurus. In footage released by foreign media, Putin and Kim were seen courteously letting each other board the Aurus first. Ultimately, President Putin took the rear right seat first, while Kim walked smilingly to the rear left seat.

The license plate on the second Aurus gifted by Putin to Kim bears the numbers ‘7 27 1953,’ which likely refers to July 27, 1953, the date of the Korean War armistice agreement. North Korea commemorates this day as the 'Day of Victory in the Fatherland Liberation War.' After concluding their summit at the Kumsusan Guesthouse, Putin and Kim took turns driving the Aurus.

Putin’s gift of the car is likely a violation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions against North Korea. It may fall under prohibited luxury items and could breach clauses banning the direct or indirect supply, sale, or transfer of transportation means to North Korea. For this reason, in February, South Korea’s Ministry of Unification condemned the Aurus gift, stating, "As a permanent member of the Security Council, Russia must recognize its responsibilities and cease actions that undermine international norms."

Despite the potential UNSC sanctions violations, Russia and North Korea publicly display the gifts exchanged between them as a demonstration of their close bilateral relationship.

During Kim Jong-un’s visit to Russia last September, Oleg Kozhemyako, governor of Primorsky Krai, presented bulletproof vests produced in Primorsky, five kamikaze drones (suicide drones), and one reconnaissance drone with vertical takeoff capability. This information was disclosed through Russian media. At that time, several North Korean officials, including Ri Pyong-chol, vice chairman of the Party Central Military Commission, who are banned from foreign travel under UNSC sanctions, accompanied the visit, raising concerns about possible sanctions violations.