North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has made global headlines after being spotted using a newly released, top-of-the-line Mercedes-Benz vehicle. In response, the German automaker Mercedes-Benz stated that it is aware of the seriousness of the situation and will be taking appropriate measures.
“We take all indications of potential violations of sanctions and export control regulations very seriously and follow up on them,” the German automaker said in a statement to Voice of America (VOA) on August 15.
“Mercedes-Benz does not do any business with North Korea and is not present in the North Korean market at all, be it through a representative office or any other facility. One more information about the vehicle on the photo in the train: The vehicle is a regular series production vehicle and not a limited edition.”
The automaker added, “Re-Sales or Re-Export of vehicles by third parties, especially of used vehicles, are beyond our control.”
On August 10, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim Jong-un revisited flood-stricken areas in Uiju County, North Pyongan Province, on August 8 and 9. Photos released alongside the report captured a black SUV bearing the Mercedes-Benz logo.
The vehicle is presumed to be the “Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC Facelift,” a model that began sales earlier this year. The price in the U.S. starts at approximately $178,000.
The recent incident adds to the mounting evidence that the United Nations Security Council’s sanctions against North Korea, including the ban on the transfer of luxury goods since 2017, are not being effectively enforced.
“We strictly comply with applicable law, e.g. EU and US embargoes,” the automaker told VOA. “MB has implemented comprehensive export control and sanction compliance processes. “We do not tolerate violations of contracts by our partners and react consistently up to the termination of the business relationship.”
The German government has expressed its intent to respond to the continued sightings of vehicles from a leading domestic automobile company in North Korea.
“Germany is continuously working to prevent circumvention of sanctions by third parties such as state or individual actors,” a country’s foreign ministry official told VOA. “With its increasing aggressive rhetoric, illegal ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs as well as weapon tests at the border of the Republic of Korea, DPRK is an irresponsible threat to international and regional security and stability.”
The official added, “The goal of the sanctions regime is the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of DPRK. Germany is fully committed to enforcing all sanctions regimes imposed by the Security Council including the 1718 DPRK sanctions regime.”
An official from the European Union also told VOA that member states are responsible for the implementation and enforcement of EU sanctions. “The EU has adopted comprehensive sanctions on the DPRK, which include the prohibition to export luxury items to DPRK, such as motor cars with value exceeding EUR 10,000,” the official explained.
BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
