Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un drove each other in a Russian-made Aurus limousine during Putin’s landmark visit to Pyongyang.
Putin’s first in the city in nearly 25 years, symbolized the strengthening ties between the two nations.
After signing a mutual defence agreement, the leaders showcased their partnership by taking turns driving Putin’s official state car, the Aurus. Russian state media broadcast footage of the leaders driving through a manicured park, highlighting the event’s choreographed nature.
An earlier announcement revealed that Putin gifted Kim the luxury vehicle, marking at least the second Aurus Kim has received from Putin. The Aurus Senat, a model echoing Soviet-era luxury, is part of Russia’s broader strategy to utilize domestic production facilities, including repurposing a former Toyota plant in St. Petersburg for Aurus production.
Kim’s collection of high-end cars, likely imported despite international sanctions, includes brands like Maybach and Rolls-Royce, underscoring his interest in luxury vehicles. Meanwhile, Russia aims to expand its automotive industry, navigating economic shifts and Western sanctions following military actions in Ukraine.
