Saturday, April 27, 2019

Daimler Says It Has No Idea How North Korea's Kim Got His Mercedes Limos - Photo

Daimler, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, says it has no idea where North Korean leader Kim Jong Un got his armored limousines and has no business dealings with the Asian country .

Kim has raised eyebrows by using stretched Mercedes Maybach S600 Pullman Guard and a Mercedes Maybach S62 at several high-profile summits, including his earlier summits with US President Donald Trump and his meeting this week with President Vladimir Putin in Russia. 

The sale of luxury goods, including limousines, is banned under U.N. sanctions that is intended to put pressure on North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons.

Daimler spokeswoman Silke Mockert said in a written response to an AP report on the limousines said :


"We have absolutely no idea how those vehicles were delivered to North Korea,"

"For Daimler, the correct export of products in conformance with the law is a fundamental principle of responsible entrepreneurial activity."

Daimler ,who admitted that it has no control over the actions of third-party or second-hand dealers, also added that :

"Our company has had no business connections with North Korea for far more than 15 years now and strictly complies with E.U. and U.S. embargoes"

"To prevent deliveries to North Korea and to any of its embassies worldwide, Daimler has implemented a comprehensive export control process. Sales of vehicles by third parties, especially of used vehicles, are beyond our control and responsibility."

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's ability to procure the German-made limousines is a good example of how porous the international sanctions tend to be.

His Mercedes Maybach versions, that are estimated to have been worth well over $1 million each at the time of purchase, are believed to be equipped with bulletproof and bombproof features and a toilet.

It is also fitted with key communications systems , so that its occupants can remain "fully in touch with the rest of the world while enjoying the luxury bunker-on-wheels .

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