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Miami Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Wife of North Korea's Kim Jong Un Reemerges With Luxury Handbag
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's wife, Ri Sol Ju, reemerged in public Tuesday after a year and a half out of the spotlight, joining him and their daughter, Ju Ae, at a lavish completion ceremony for a beach resort on the poverty-stricken nation's east coast. Ri, who was last seen in state media photos on January 1, 2024, was pictured carrying what appears to be a handbag made by Italian luxury brand Gucci. Luxury good exports to North Korea are banned under United Nations sanctions targeting Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Nonetheless, such items reportedly make their way into the country via diplomatic pouches, which are exempt from customs inspection under international law. Kim Jong Un's taste for luxury is well documented, from expensive watches and cars to private jets. His close ally, Russian President Vladimir Putin, even gifted him a Russian-made limousine after Kim took a liking to the vehicle during his 2023 visit to the country. Newsweek reached out to the North Korean embassy in China via emailed request for comment. Ri's handbag appeared to be a Gucci GG Marmont shoulder bag, which retails for over $2,000. After the regime's move in late 2023 to raise official wages tenfold, the average worker now earns about 30,000 North Korean won-less than $4-per month, analysts say. Retail prices in North Korea are low but analysts say most citizens cannot survive on state salaries alone and must rely on informal or black market work to make ends meet. While Ju Ae-widely believed to be Kim's chosen successor-now frequently appears alongside her father, Ri's reemergence may be part of efforts to showcase the new Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area on the Kalma Peninsula. Kim declared that Wonsan Kalma would "shine as a world-level tourist resort," the first of several "paradises" planned around the country, according to the Korean Central News Agency. State media called the ceremony a "great auspicious event" in a press release. The tourist zone's hotels can accommodate nearly 20,000 guests and it boasts a range of facilities, restaurants and sea bathing. These features, KCNA said, "offer all year round the real taste of the east coast, presenting a wonderful picture of a 4 kilometer (2.5-mile)-long stretch of beach to be crowded with people every year." Moscow's ambassador and other officials from the Russian mission in the country attended the ceremony as special guests, per the outlet. Rachel Minyoung Lee, a non-resident fellow with the 38 North program at the Stimson Center, told CNN: "Wonsan-Kalma is open to just North Koreans for now, but we should not be surprised to see Russians at the resort in the not-too-distant future. "More broadly, the opening of a major beach resort like Wonsan-Kalma helps to reinforce the state media narrative of Kim's people-first policy and helps to balance out his greater focus on building up national defense," The resort will open to domestic tourists on July 1, according to KCNA. However, tour operators cited by the BBC believe Wonsan Kalma is primarily geared toward visitors from Russia. Russians are currently the only foreign nationals permitted in certain areas of North Korea, as the two countries continue to deepen their ties. Related Articles Iran Will Now Copy North Korea's Nuke Strategy-Top Intel Democrat FearsAs Trump Defends Iran Nuclear Site Destruction, Kim Jong Un Takes NotesUS Allies Ramp Up Sea Power as North Korea Threat RisesIran Lawmakers Eye Page From North Korea Nuclear Playbook After US Strikes 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
India Gazette
a day ago
- Business
- India Gazette
India and Russia discuss supply of S-400s
New Delhi presently has three of the Russian-made mobile surface-to-air missile systems Moscow and New Delhi have discussed the supply of the Russian-made S-400 mobile surface-to-air missile systems, the Indian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Friday. The discussions took place during a meeting between Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov on Thursday on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defense Ministers' meeting in Qingdao, China. "It was one of the most important recent meetings between the leaders of the two nations, being held in the backdrop of Operation Sindoor and the consequent necessity of augmenting defense production, especially in critical items such as air defense, air-to-air missiles, modern capabilities, and upgrades of air platforms," the Indian Defense Ministry said. "Supply of S-400 systems, Su-30 MKI upgrades, and procurement of critical military hardware in expeditious timeframes were some of the key takeaways of the meeting." "Operation Sindoor" is the codename given to India's May 7 strikes on alleged terrorist facilities in Pakistan-controlled territory. India has said that the operation was in response to a terrorist attack in India's Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory in April that killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists. The S-400s played an important role in defending Indian air bases and other military installations against retaliatory Pakistani strikes, earning the praise of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Platforms like the S-400 have given unprecedented strength to the country," Modi said in an address to the soldiers in May, against the backdrop of an S-400 system. "A strong security shield has become the identity of India." India presently has taken delivery of three of five S-400 air defense systems it purchased from Russia for $5.43 billion in 2018. The remaining two are slated for delivery in 2026. India's military currently relies heavily on Russian-origin equipment, with around 60% of its arsenal being of Russian make. New Delhi has a fleet of 259 Sukhoi Su-30MKI aircraft, with 84 planes due to be upgraded with Russian assistance, according to the Hindu. During Thursday's meeting of defense ministers, Belousov stressed the importance of the Russia-India partnership, noting that Moscow's long-term friendship with New Delhi extended into the military-technical sector.
Shafaq News
a day ago
- Business
- Shafaq News
India awaits delayed S-400 deliveries as strategic talks with Russia continue
Shafaq News – New Delhi/Moscow India is expected to receive the final two squadrons of the Russian-made S-400 Triumf air defence system by 2026 and 2027, respectively, according to Indian defence sources cited by national media. The delivery timeline marks a significant delay from the original 2023 deadline outlined in the $5.43 billion agreement signed in 2018. The Times of India said that so far, New Delhi has received and deployed three S-400 squadrons along its northwestern and eastern borders, where they are positioned to counter potential threats from both Pakistan and China. Each squadron includes two missile batteries equipped with long-range radar, mobile launchers, and up to 128 missiles capable of intercepting aerial threats at ranges between 120 and 380 kilometers. The delivery setbacks have been attributed to logistical and production disruptions linked to Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. Still, Indian defence officials have stressed the system's critical role in the country's integrated air defence network, where it serves as a key outer shield coordinated through the Indian Air Force's command and control system. Against this backdrop, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held high-level talks with his Russian counterpart, Andrey Belousov, on June 26 on the sidelines of the SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting in Qingdao, China. While framed as part of routine bilateral engagement, the meeting has been viewed as a strategic push to reinforce military ties and assess the resilience of defence cooperation amid global pressures. The partnership continues despite the US repeatedly warning that countries trading with Russia's defence and intelligence sectors risk automatic sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). In 2018, Washington imposed sanctions on China's military for acquiring combat aircraft and the S-400 system from Russia. Nevertheless, New Delhi has maintained that bolstering its defence capabilities remains a strategic priority, and that its decisions are driven by national security considerations rather than geopolitical alignments.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Wife of North Korea's Kim Jong Un Reemerges With Luxury Handbag
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's wife, Ri Sol Ju, reemerged in public Tuesday after a year and a half out of the spotlight, joining him and their daughter, Ju Ae, at a lavish completion ceremony for a beach resort on the poverty-stricken nation's east coast. Ri, who was last seen in state media photos on January 1, 2024, was pictured carrying what appears to be a handbag made by Italian luxury brand Gucci. Why It Matters Luxury good exports to North Korea are banned under United Nations sanctions targeting Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Nonetheless, such items reportedly make their way into the country via diplomatic pouches, which are exempt from customs inspection under international law. Kim Jong Un's taste for luxury is well documented, from expensive watches and cars to private jets. His close ally, Russian President Vladimir Putin, even gifted him a Russian-made limousine after Kim took a liking to the vehicle during his 2023 visit to the country. Newsweek reached out to the North Korean embassy in China via emailed request for comment. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, daughter Ju Ae, left, and wife Ri Sol Ju, far left, are seen during the completion ceremony for the Wonsan Kalma beach resort in North Korea on June... North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, daughter Ju Ae, left, and wife Ri Sol Ju, far left, are seen during the completion ceremony for the Wonsan Kalma beach resort in North Korea on June 24, 2025. More Korean Central News Agency What To Know Ri's handbag appeared to be a Gucci GG Marmont shoulder bag, which retails for over $2,000. After the regime's move in late 2023 to raise official wages tenfold, the average worker now earns about 30,000 North Korean won—less than $4—per month, analysts say. Retail prices in North Korea are low but analysts say most citizens cannot survive on state salaries alone and must rely on informal or black market work to make ends meet. 1 of 2 While Ju Ae—widely believed to be Kim's chosen successor—now frequently appears alongside her father, Ri's reemergence may be part of efforts to showcase the new Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area on the Kalma Peninsula. Kim declared that Wonsan Kalma would "shine as a world-level tourist resort," the first of several "paradises" planned around the country, according to the Korean Central News Agency. State media called the ceremony a "great auspicious event" in a press release. The tourist zone's hotels can accommodate nearly 20,000 guests and it boasts a range of facilities, restaurants and sea bathing. These features, KCNA said, "offer all year round the real taste of the east coast, presenting a wonderful picture of a 4 kilometer (2.5-mile)-long stretch of beach to be crowded with people every year." Moscow's ambassador and other officials from the Russian mission in the country attended the ceremony as special guests, per the outlet. What People Are Saying Rachel Minyoung Lee, a non-resident fellow with the 38 North program at the Stimson Center, told CNN: "Wonsan-Kalma is open to just North Koreans for now, but we should not be surprised to see Russians at the resort in the not-too-distant future. "More broadly, the opening of a major beach resort like Wonsan-Kalma helps to reinforce the state media narrative of Kim's people-first policy and helps to balance out his greater focus on building up national defense," What's Next The resort will open to domestic tourists on July 1, according to KCNA. However, tour operators cited by the BBC believe Wonsan Kalma is primarily geared toward visitors from Russia. Russians are currently the only foreign nationals permitted in certain areas of North Korea, as the two countries continue to deepen their ties.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Russia assures timely delivery of remaining S-400 air defence system during bilateral meeting with Rajnath
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a comprehensive bilateral meeting with Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov on Thursday (June 26, 2025) in Qingdao, China, over defence cooperation between the two countries. In the meeting, a discussion was held over the timely delivery of S-400 air defence system to India, to which the Russian confirmed it of timely delivery. An initial order of five S-400s was placed by India and three have been delivered. The remaining two S-400 units is on track, with deliveries expected to be completed in the stipulated time frame, he announced. Both sides agreed to a bilateral cooperation in defence and other sectors. During Operation Sindoor, the Russian-made S-400 systems, operational with the Indian military, played a critical role in intercepting and neutralising missiles and drones launched by Pakistan. India signed a $5.43 billion deal with Russia in 2018 for five squadrons of the S-400 Triumf missile system, a state-of-the-art air defence platform capable of engaging multiple aerial threats at long ranges. Three squadrons have already been delivered. A bilateral meeting with Chinese Defence Minister is also scheduled for later in the day. Mr. Singh is in Qingdao to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' meeting on June 25-26. On the sidelines of the multi-lateral summit, he will hold bilateral talks with his counterparts from China and Russia.
