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Putin gifts North Korea leader Russian-made limousine amid UN sanctions – JURIST

North Korea announced Tuesday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was gifted a Russian-made Aurus limousine by Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to state-owned broadcasting service Voice of Korea. Russia handed the limousine to North Korean Secretary Pak Jong Chon and Deputy Department Director Kim Yo Jong on Sunday.The UN Security Council expanded sanctions it implemented against North Korea on June 2, 2017. It applied the sanctions to four organizations and 14 individuals. The expanded sanctions include an asset freeze and a ban on luxury items to North Korea to pressure the country to cease their nuclear program. China, North Korea’s traditional ally, also voted for the resolution after negotiations and pressure from the US.Upon handing the limousine to North Korea, Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that Russia will develop relations with her neighbors, including North Korea. Meanwhile, Kim Yo Jong stated that the gift demonstrates the positive relationship between the Russian and North Korean leaders.Moscow and Pyongyang have continued to strengthen their relations ever since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Kim Jong Un visited Moscow in September 2023 and senior Russian officials have made multiple visits to Pyongyang. The US and its allies have accused North Korea of sending arms to Russia in exchange for other military innovations. However, Moscow and Pyongyang have denied any arms agreements. On January 9, the US and its allies condemned Russia and North Korea for transferring arms, especially since Russia allegedly tested North Korean ballistic missiles. On November 2, 2023, Russia withdrew from the global nuclear test ban treaty. North Korea is not a party to the treaty.