Hear
SEOUL.- During his visit to Pyongyang, the Russian president Vladimir Putin and the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un they starred in a uncomfortable moment when Putin landed at the airport and both leaders were heading towards the presidential limousine.
In a video that circulated on social networks Putin and Kim are seen walking together towards the car, when they begin to politely point at the vehicle and insist that the other get in first. After several attempts Putin finally agreed and got into the car firstfollowed by Kim, who went around the vehicle to enter from the other side.
Hours later, during his visit, the Russian president took Kim Jong-un to take a ride in a luxurious Aurus limousine, made in Russia. Putin surprised Kim by giving him one of these exclusive luxury vehicles as a sign of strengthening ties between both countries.
The excursion took place after both leaders they will sign an agreement that deepens its military cooperation and which includes a commitment to mutual defense in case of attack. Kim Jong-un described these new ties as a true “alliance.”
A video published by Russian state television showed Putin jumping behind the wheel of the black armored limousinewhich is his official presidential car in Russia, with Kim sitting in the passenger seat.
The car is then seen through a road in the middle of a park, until it stops. A Korean man in a suit and white gloves is seen opening the door for Kim before running to hold Putin’s door.
In the video, Putin and Kim walk side by side and chat on a trail in a wooded area with a bodyguard walking behind them.
Kim is believed to be a big car enthusiast and one of Putin’s aides said earlier that the Russian leader had gifted Kim a Russian-built Aurus limousine.
Putin had already gifted Kim an Aurus limousine in February this year, both countries said at the time, meaning you now own at least two of the vehicles.
He Aurus Senat, With a retro style inspired by the Soviet-era ZIL limousine, it is the official russian presidential car and Putin traveled in one to his most recent inauguration ceremony at the Kremlin in May.
When Kim visited eastern Russia in September last year, Putin showed him one of the vehicles. Kim sat next to Putin in the car and seemed to enjoy it.
Kim has a large collection of luxury foreign vehicles which were probably smuggledsince the resolutions of the UN Security Council ban the export of luxury goods to North Korea.
He has been seen in a Maybach limousine, several Mercedes, a Rolls-Royce Phantom and a Lexus sport utility vehicle.
A senior Russian official said last month that Russia would begin manufacturing Aurus luxury cars at a former Toyota factory in St. Petersburg this year.
According to the Russian analytical agency Autostat, 40 Aurus brand cars have been sold in Russia so far this year.
Agencies Reuters and AFP
THE NATION
