Dream - Relations between Russia and North Korea are growing closer. In the midst of the war with Ukraine, Russia is collaborating in developing nuclear weapons in Pyongyang, North Korea. Quoted from Aljazeera, since September 2023, these two countries have been forging closer ties for mutual interests.

One of them is to encourage exchanges in all fields when both countries have to face international sanctions due to Russia's war in Ukraine and North Korea's nuclear weapons development. North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, reportedly received a gift in the form of a car from Russian President, Vladimir Putin.

The gift from Vladimir Putin is made by Russia, but the brand and model are not disclosed. The luxury car was handed over to Kim's top aides, including his sister Kim Yo Jong, on February 18 for the personal use of the North Korean leader.

According to local media KCNA, Kim Yo Jong expressed gratitude for the gift to the Russian government. According to her, the gift is a tangible proof of the closeness between the leaders of both countries. "The gift serves as a clear demonstration of the special personal relationship between the top leaders of the DPRK and Russia, and as the best," said Kim Yo Jong.

The provision of this car appears to violate the UN sanctions supported by Moscow against Pyongyang, which prohibit the supply of all transportation vehicles to North Korea. Kim Jong Un is known to have a large collection of luxury cars, such as the Mercedes-Maybach S600, Rolls-Royce Phantom, and Lexus LX 570.

Dikutip dari laman Fortune, Aurus merupakan mobil limusin mewah berlapis baja buatan Rusia. Kendaraan tersebut dibuat oleh Lembaga Riset Ilmiah dan Mesin Otomotif Rusia di Moskow dalam rangka proyek “Cortege” yang bertujuan menyediakan mobil mewah yang tangguh untuk keperluan presiden Rusia.

Hubungan antara Putin dan Kim terus menguat sejak Moskow melancarkan invasi besar-besaran ke Ukraina pada bulan Februari 2022.

In October, Kim even sent prayers to Putin in a letter, hoping for victory over the "imperialists' anti-Russia scheme" in the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the bilateral relationship between the two countries. However, military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang has raised concerns from the United States and its ally, South Korea.

The South Korean spy agency even stated that Russia may have assisted in the successful launch of North Korea's spy satellite, an action condemned by Seoul, Tokyo, and Washington as a pretext for testing ballistic missile technology. This demonstrates the complexity of the relationship between the two countries and its impact on the geopolitical dynamics in the region. Report: Khaira Amaliya