Seoul [South Korea], August 13 (ANI): Defying UN sanctions banning North Korea's imports of luxury goods, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un appeared to be using a new model of a Mercedes-Benz SUV, local media in neighbouring South Korea reported. Seoul-based Yonhap news agency on Tuesday published photos carried by the Korean Central News Agency, which showed a black Mercedes-Benz SUV on a special train that Kim used to visit flood-hit areas in the northwestern province of North Phyongan last week. Under UN resolutions, first enacted in 2006 after Pyongyang carried out underground nuclear tests, exports of luxury cars and other high-end items to North Korea are banned.
"Kim appears to have secured another high-end Mercedes-Benz SUV, as he was seen using the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 in January in footage aired by state-run TV," a report in Yonhap stated. Kim, known for his love for Mercedes-Benz, has made public appearances in different Mercedes-Maybach S-class vehicles, including a limousine. In June this year Putin on a rare overseas trip since he launched the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 visited Pyongyang and the two leaders were seen cruising around the North Korean capital in a Russian-made Aurus limousine as per media reports.
In March this year the North Korean leader took his first ride in the luxury car that was gifted to him by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Al Jazeera reported. Since Kim met Putin in Russia in September 2023, their first summit in four years. Putin .