Expensive taste? North Korea caught illegally importing luxury Mercedes cars | NK News
NK News Logo
December 22, 2024

NK News is hiring

News

Expensive taste? North Korea caught illegally importing luxury Mercedes cars

North Korea is violating sanctions by using advanced smuggling networks to acquire even more rare, custom-armored rides

Despite a struggling economy and international sanctions clamping down on trade, North Korea imported custom-armored luxury cars worth nearly $500,000 each throughout 2019 and kept trying to do so in 2020, according to an unpublished report seen by NK News. 

The report, written by the U.N. Panel of Experts, underscores North Korea's thriving global network and ability to source top-line luxury items for Pyongyang's elite, despite the ongoing U.N. sanctions regime.

Try unlimited access
Only $1 for four weeks

  • Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis
  • Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period
  • The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop
  • Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns
  • Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting
Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts.
Subscribe now

All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time.