NK leader spotted using Mercedes

This image, captured from footage of North Korea's state-run Korean Central Television, Jan. 15, shows the North's leader Kim Jong-un emerging from what appears to be a Mercedes-Benz SUV. Yonhap

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was seen getting out of what appeared to be a luxury Mercedes-Benz SUV, state media footage has shown, despite international sanctions banning the North's imports of luxury goods.

Footage aired by the North's Korean Central Television on Monday showed Kim emerging from a black SUV whose rear door on the right side has the sign of Kim's title, the president of the State Affairs Commission.

It appeared to be his new private car, presumed to be the top-class model of the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600.

In August 2020, Kim was spotted in the driver's seat of an SUV, presumed to be a Lexus LX 570, when he visited flood-hit areas.

Kim has made public appearances in different Mercedes-Maybach S-class vehicles, including a limousine, snubbing international sanctions on North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.

Key North Korean officials, including Premier Kim Tok-hun, arrived at the venue of a year-end party meeting in late December 2023 in Mercedes-Benz sedans, separate footage showed.

Such vehicles are subject to U.N. sanctions that ban the supply of luxury automobiles to North Korea.

In October 2023, South Korea's unification ministry said Kim and his family are spending up to millions of dollars a year on luxury goods despite chronic food shortages and economic difficulties aggravated by U.N. sanctions and COVID-19. (Yonhap)