[Seoul Newspaper Now News]
Kim Jong-un, North Korean Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, who recently visited Sinuiju City in North Pyongan Province, which suffered severe flood damage, personally unveiled the latest high-end sports utility vehicle (SUV) from German Mercedes-Benz.
The photo released by the Korean Central News Agency on the 10th shows Chairman Kim visiting the flood-hit area of Uiju County on the 8th and 9th. At that time, Chairman Kim opened the door of a private train car completely on both sides and stood in front of the flood victims as if he was on a stage.
At that moment, the SUV placed behind the train door was also captured by the camera. The model is estimated to be the ‘Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC Facelift’ model, which went on sale in Korea in April this year, starting at a high price of 279 million won.
The license plate bore the number ‘7 27 1953,’ a date commemorating what North Korea claims as the ‘Victory Day’ when they fought against the United States in the Korean War.
After the photo was released, there were criticisms that North Korea is easily bypassing UN Security Council sanctions on North Korea. The Security Council has prohibited the transfer of transportation to North Korea since 2017.
However, Chairman Kim previously made a flaunting appearance in January driving a Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600. And now, within just six months, he has acquired a new Benz SUV.
In June last year, when Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Pyongyang after 24 years, all eyes were on him as he paraded in a Benz at the official welcome ceremony.
Chairman Kim is known to own not only the Maybach GLS 600 but also Maybach sedans, limousines, and even luxury Lexus SUVs made by Toyota in Japan.
There have been claims that even Chairman Kim’s bodyguards use Japanese SUVs. Last February, during a military sports event attended by Kim, his bodyguards were seen using a white SUV at an official platform. The vehicle is suspected to be a Japanese Mitsubishi SUV called ‘Pajero.’
In October 2022, a UN Security Council sanctions committee’s expert panel report cited media reports pointing out that North Korean officials were using Pajeros.
In April, when Chairman Kim visited Kim Il-sung Military University, six out of 18 vehicles in the motorcade were confirmed to be Toyota Land Cruiser 300s. The Land Cruiser model produced since 2021 is known to have a minimum unit price of over 100 million won.
Kim Jong-un’s beloved Benz vehicles have been continuously brought into North Korea, mocking the UN sanctions. Earlier this year, Mercedes-Benz conducted its own investigation after their vehicles were repeatedly seen being used by North Korea, stating that they do not do business in countries like North Korea out of their commitment to following regulations and ethical practices.
“We prohibit the unauthorized resale or marketing by third parties and the sale of products outside designated contract areas,” they added, emphasizing that they will respond firmly in accordance with their internal regulations if their cooperating partners violate the North Korean sanctions.