New Model Released in Korea for 4 Months
Repeated Mercedes Exposure... Seems Intended to Showcase North Korea's Strength
North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un was spotted using what is presumed to be a luxury new Mercedes-Benz sports utility vehicle (SUV). This model was released in South Korea less than four months ago.
The latest model 'Maybach' vehicle is loaded on the exclusive train of Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
New Mercedes-Benz SUV loaded on North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un's exclusive train. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
On the 10th, the North Korean Rodong Sinmun published a photo of Chairman Kim visiting flood damage sites in Uiju County, North Pyongan Province, standing on the platform of his private train and delivering a speech to flood victims. In the photo, a new SUV is positioned to Kim's left.
The vehicle is estimated to be the 'Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC facelift' model. It is a new model released domestically only four months ago, with prices starting at 279 million KRW.
The license plate reads '7·27 1953,' which appears to signify July 27, 1953, the date of the Korean War armistice agreement that North Korea claims as Victory Day.
Since 2017, the United Nations Security Council has imposed sanctions banning the transfer of transportation means to North Korea. However, North Korea seems to flaunt its resilience by openly displaying a luxury new Mercedes-Benz, demonstrating its ability to evade sanctions.
Meanwhile, Chairman Kim also appeared riding a luxury vehicle, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600, in the documentary "Great Transformation, Victory and Reform of 2023" aired by Korean Central Television in January. It is also known that Kim owns a Maybach sedan and limousine, as well as a Lexus SUV from Japan's Toyota.
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