North Korean Kim Jong Un’s Security Vehicles Spotted
Surprisingly, They Are U.S. Ford Transit
Serious Breach in North Korean Sanctions
North Korea, one of the most secluded countries on the planet, is currently under the dictatorship of Kim Jong Un. Due to North Korea’s secretive nature, the vehicles used by Kim Jong Un, spotted on February 28th, have caught the public’s attention. Despite the sanctions against North Korea that have been in place since 2013, which block the import of foreign cars, the captured images reveal a variety of foreign vehicles.
Here, we must focus on the vehicles escorting Kim Jong Un’s Maybach. These vehicles are Transit vans manufactured by Ford, a leading U.S. automaker. Kim Jong Un, who frequently criticizes Japan and the U.S., relies heavily on vehicles from these countries when moving with his security detail. Let’s briefly examine the other vehicles that Kim Jong Un has imported through unknown sources.
Popular Van Models in the U.S.
Used for Escort and Diplomatic Purposes in North Korea
The recently spotted Ford Transit is an old commercial vehicle with a long history in the U.S., commonly used by distribution, postal companies, or families for camping. However, like Kim Jong Un’s security vehicles, they are often used for diplomatic or transport purposes and as escort vehicles for essential personnel.
A Ford representative stated, “We have never supplied those vehicles, and we do not know how they entered the country.” Ford also insisted that it strictly complies with U.S. sanctions against North Korea.
Ford Denies Supplying the Vehicles
Smuggling of Vehicles Continues
Ford claims it has never supplied the vehicles to North Korea, but the problem isn’t just with Ford. Other cars that shouldn’t be in North Korea, such as the Mercedes-Maybach and Lexus, are frequently spotted, causing people to express concerns about severe sanctions violations against North Korea.
Most vehicles imported into North Korea are smuggled through several countries. For instance, a Japanese company was caught trying to export a Lexus model to North Korea illegally. Despite sanctions, Kim Jong Un continues to appear with new imported cars, seemingly mocking the restrictions.
Should Sanctions Against North Korea Be Strengthened?
After sanctions against North Korea began in 2013, exports of transport vehicles and luxury goods were banned in 2017. However, seven years later, North Korea is still illegally smuggling various cars along with other items, with the level of public exposure steadily increasing.
The world will not simply watch Kim Jong Un continue to violate UN sanctions against North Korea blatantly. As the U.S. and other countries observe North Korea’s actions, it remains to be seen whether new sanctions will result in the disappearance of German, American, and Japanese vehicles from Kim Jong Un’s entourage.
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