North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's recent visit to Russia has ignited international controversy as he returns home with an array of gifts from his Russian hosts, some of which appear to contravene U.N. sanctions.
These remarkable presents are set to join the extensive collection at North Korea's "friendship" museum, which has preserved gifts received by the nation's leaders spanning three generations.
Russian-made rifles
Following his summit with Russian President Putin, Kim Jong Un's collection of gifts includes a Russian-made rifle touted as "of the highest quality" by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. In a diplomatic exchange, Kim reciprocated by gifting Putin a rifle crafted by North Korean artisans.
Space glove, body armor, and military drones
Notably, Putin presented Kim with a space glove worn during a historic space mission. The symbolic gesture added an unexpected touch to their diplomatic interactions. Additionally, Oleg Kozhemyako, the governor of the Primorsky region, contributed to the collection with a set of modern, lightweight body armor designed for assault operations.
However, the most contentious gifts are the military drones presented to Kim. These include five one-way attack drones and a Geranium-25 reconnaissance drone, the latter being widely recognized for its role in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Such gifts are direct violations of at least two U.N. Security Council resolutions against North Korea, resolutions that Moscow had previously supported.
Fur hat fitting saga
During his visit to Vladivostok, Kim Jong Un received a fur hat from Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. The fitting process amused observers as there was a scramble to determine the right size for the North Korean leader. Russia's ambassador to Pyongyang, Alexander Matsegora, humorously suggested a size slightly smaller than his own "very large head," which turned out to be just right. Matsegora noted, "It’s also important that this is a gift from the heart. And Comrade Kim Jong Un liked it.”
Kim's visit began in Russia's border town of Khasan, where he was presented with a photo of Yuri Gagarin, the pioneering cosmonaut who was the first human to orbit the Earth.
Houses gifts from across the globe
North Korea has made significant efforts to showcase the gifts received by Kim Jong Un and his predecessors, Kim Jong-il and Kim Il Sung, from foreign dignitaries. This dedication is embodied in the International Friendship Exhibition, nestled in the Myohyangsan mountain hills, located 160 km (99 miles) from Pyongyang. The exhibition comprises two imposing concrete structures built in the traditional architectural style with blue-tiled roofs.
Established in 1978, this museum boasts more than 100 showrooms containing over 115,000 items gifted by more than 200 countries, according to North Korea's state media. The scale and importance of this collection have led to comparisons with renowned institutions like the Louvre in Paris.
Glimpse of notable contributions
The collection is a testament to the global diplomatic exchanges North Korea has engaged in over the years. Notable items within the exhibition include crystalware sent by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, a tea cup set from French President Francois Mitterrand, and a basketball signed by Michael Jordan, a gift from former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright during her 2000 visit.
The exhibition also reveals the role of propaganda in presenting gifts from South Koreans, with the large-screen television set gifted by former President Kim Dae-jung, known for his peace policies toward North Korea, receiving prominent display.
The Dynasty sedan, Hyundai Motor's flagship, was a significant gift to Kim Jong Il from Chung Ju-yung, the North Korean-born founder of the Hyundai Group, who played a pivotal role in fostering investment in North Korea after the 2000 inter-Korean summit.
