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South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un wave at Pyongyang residents from a customized limousine during a motor convey on Sept. 18. (photo pool)
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Represents incredible break from standard security protocol
While South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un partook in a motor convoy in Pyongyang on the morning of Sept. 18, the head of South Korea’s Presidential Security Service Ju Young-hoon — not his North Korean counterpart — sat in the passenger seat of the open limousine carrying the two leaders. This is a stunning break from international summit security protocols. Although a member of North Korean security staff drove the vehicle, Ju assumed the role of detail leader. South Korean Presidential Spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said “Although it was a matter directly concerning the security of Chairman Kim Jong-un, the chief of our security was able to fill the detail leader role with the consideration of the North Korean security authorities.” International protocol dictates that primary security responsibility at summit meetings lies with the host nation. However, when former President Roh Moo-hyun rode through Pyongyang in an open limousine with Kim Yong-nam, the President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea, in October 2007, North Korea allowed South Korea’s security detail to stay close by. The vehicle used by the two leaders is thought to be a modified Mercedes-Maybach S600 Pullman Guard. A custom-built, op-of-the-line Maybach outfitted with bulletproof capabilities, the vehicle weighs five tons. It appears that the limousine roof was modified to open and close in the back, above the rear seats. A Mercedes-Benz Korea spokesperson said, “The vehicle is based on the bulletproof ‘Pullman Guard’ model, but it’s impossible to tell whether it was custom-built on order or if it was modified in North Korea after being delivered.” The car escorting Moon to downtown Pyongyang following his arrival at Pyongyang Sunan International Airport that morning was also a bulletproof Mercedes-Maybach S 600 Pullman Guard that was brought over beforehand from South Korea. At the Apr. 27 Panmunjom Summit, Kim rode the same model over the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). The vehicle is designed to withstand not only bullets and fire from flamethrowers, but even a 15kg TNT blast from underneath the car. Even with all four tires punctured, the vehicle can travel up to 80-100km per hour. The market price is known to be around 800 million to a billion won (around US$712,000-890,000). By Kim Ji-eun and Hong Dae-seon, staff reporters Please direct comments or questions to [english@hani.co.kr]
