When North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrived in China on 1/9 to attend the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism, his motorcade departing the Beijing railway station included a Mercedes-Maybach bearing the license plate 7-271953.
The car was positioned in the center of the motorcade, with the North Korean flag displayed on the hood, suggesting it was likely Kim's vehicle. His escort consisted of 28 vehicles, including Chinese police cars and ambulances. Unlike previous trips, there was no motorcycle escort this time.
On 2/9, when Kim visited the North Korean embassy in the Chaoyang district, he also rode in a Mercedes-Maybach with the same license plate.
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The Mercedes-Maybach with license plate 7-271953 in the center of Kim Jong-un's motorcade in Beijing on 2/9. Photo: Yonhap |
The Mercedes-Maybach with license plate 7-271953 in the center of Kim Jong-un's motorcade in Beijing on 2/9. Photo: Yonhap
The number sequence "7-271953" corresponds to 27/7/1953, the date the armistice agreement was signed at Panmunjeom, a milestone North Korea calls "Victory Day in the Fatherland Liberation War".
According to Young Pioneer Tours, a travel agency specializing in North Korea tours, some vehicles used by North Korean traffic police and high-ranking officials also bear license plates starting with 727 because of its historical significance.
This is not the first time this number sequence has appeared on the North Korean leader's vehicles. In June 2024, when Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Pyongyang, Kim Jong-un invited the Russian leader to ride in his vehicle.
The vehicle used on that occasion was an Aurus Senat armored limousine, a gift from Putin to Kim during the North Korean leader's visit to Russia 4 months prior.
President Putin drives Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang on 19/6. Video: RT
Images released by KCNA of the two leaders entering the vehicle show the armored limousine bearing the license plate 7-271953.
This suggests the number sequence is not fixed to a specific vehicle but can be flexibly attached to any vehicle designated to transport the country's leader.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un step into the Aurus Senat with license plate 7-271955 in Pyongyang on 19/6/2024. Photo: Yonhap |
Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un step into the Aurus Senat with license plate 7-271955 in Pyongyang on 19/6/2024. Photo: Yonhap
North Korean officials have not commented on the decision to use this number sequence for the leader's vehicles.
Analysts suggest Pyongyang's choice of the license plate corresponding to the Korean Armistice Agreement signing date during meetings with Russian and Chinese leaders reflects a message of valuing the traditional relationships with these two neighbors and their support during the 1950-1953 war.
Thanh Danh (Chosun, RT, Annadolu)
