North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly received a car from Russia’s President Vladimir Putin as a personal gift, according to official media reports on Tuesday. 

This exchange raises concerns regarding potential violations of U.N. sanctions imposed against Pyongyang, which Moscow had previously agreed to uphold.

Since their meeting in September, Kim and Putin have strengthened bilateral relations, seeking to expand exchanges across various sectors amid increased international isolation due to Russia’s conflict in Ukraine and North Korea’s nuclear program.

The Russian-made vehicle was delivered to Kim’s aides by the Russian side on February 18, as detailed by the official KCNA news agency. 

Kim’s sister conveyed his gratitude to Putin, emphasizing the symbolic significance of the gift in strengthening the personal rapport between the two leaders.

Kim’s sister “courteously conveyed Kim Jong Un’s thanks to Putin to the Russian side, saying that the gift serves as a clear demonstration of the special personal relations between the top leaders,” KCNA said.

South Korea’s foreign ministry is closely monitoring the cooperation between Russia and North Korea, urging compliance with U.N. Security Council resolutions. These resolutions prohibit the international supply, sale, or transfer of transportation vehicles, including luxury cars, to North Korea.

According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Kim received an Aurus car, which is Russia’s premier full-size luxury sedan and also serves as Putin’s presidential vehicle. Kim’s interest in automobiles is well-documented, and he possesses a collection of luxury foreign vehicles, likely acquired through smuggling.

Despite the U.N. ban on luxury goods export to North Korea, Kim has been seen in vehicles such as Maybach limousines, Mercedes limousines, a Rolls-Royce Phantom, and a Lexus SUV.

There are concerns that North Korea may be supplying artillery, rockets, and ballistic missiles to Russia for use in the conflict in Ukraine, although the Kremlin has neither confirmed nor denied these allegations. North Korea denies any involvement in arms shipments to Russia, which would constitute a violation of U.N. sanctions.

In a separate report, KCNA announced the return of a North Korean ruling party delegation from Russia, while three delegations representing information technology, fisheries, and sports departed for Russia, indicating ongoing exchanges between the two countries.