Kim Jong Un’s SUV Scandal: North Korean Leader Spotted in Imported Toyota Despite Sanctions

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un violates sanctions again
This time, a Toyota SUV has been spotted
Speculated to be a Land Cruiser model

Due to sanctions against North Korea, the import of vehicles has been banned since 2017. Still, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s actions of violating the ban and using imported vehicles as security are again attracting attention. According to recently captured photos, when Kim Jong Un visited Kim Il Sung Military University on April 25, a security vehicle presumed to be a Japanese Toyota Land Cruiser 300 was captured.

Under security via a Toyota Land Cruiser, Kim Jong Un was riding in a Russian Aurus that he received as a gift during his meeting with Putin. He is criticized worldwide for using an SUV imported from unknown sources. This is not the first time this has happened, and it is not surprising, but the shamelessness is worsening. In addition, various types of imported vehicles are used in North Korea. What kind of vehicles might they be?

2021 Land Cruiser J300
Putin’s gift ‘Aurus’ vehicle surrounded

The Toyota Land Cruiser captured in the photo is believed to be the 2021 J300 model. This vehicle, which starts at about $80,000 (approximately 110.1 million won) per unit, is Toyota’s flagship SUV and is steadily gaining popularity thanks to its stable performance and long history. The model in the photo was modified to remove the brand logo and attach warning lights to the upper part of the grill and windshield to avoid attracting attention, but it was not hidden.

It seems ironic that they were moving under the protection of a Toyota Land Cruiser to celebrate the 92nd anniversary of the founding of the North Korean People’s Revolutionary Army. Meanwhile, the Toyota Land Cruiser J300, a security vehicle, has a V6 3.4L twin-turbo engine and a V6 3.3L diesel engine.

Imported Vehicles Violating Sanctions
North Korean Military rides G-Class

In addition to the Land Cruiser captured earlier, Kim Jong Un rode imported vehicles several times and used them as security vehicles. Representative examples include Mercedes-Benz’s Maybach GLS600 SUV, Lexus LX, and Ford Transit. The Aurus, called the “Russian Rolls-Royce,” received as a gift from Putin in February 2024, was added to Kim Jong Un’s collection, once again confirming his relationship with Putin.

Kim Jong Un and the North Korean military use imported vehicles for military training. The representative model is Mercedes-Benz’s G-Class. It is used primarily by commanders of the North Korean People’s Security Service or the People’s Internal Security Forces, and many people assume that it is a first-generation model.

Possibility of illegal import of large items

Violation of sanctions against North Korea regarding means of transportation is a problem that points out simple illegal imports, but it also further confirms the risks of importing large items. The possibility that automobiles and large-scale machinery production equipment related to weapons could be imported cannot be ruled out.