Italy has blocked the sale of two luxury yachts to impoverished North Korea because it suspects they were destined for reclusive leader Kim Jong-Il, the Financial Times said Thursday.
A contract for the sale of the two yachts, worth 12.5 million euros (10.8 million pounds, 17.8 million dollars) was terminated this month after a probe by the Italian government and anti-fraud police.
The two boats were confiscated by the ministry of economic development amid concerns that allowing the sale would breach international sanctions against Pyongyang. “Seeing the type of goods that were involved and the condition that the country (North Korea) is in, we were very suspicious that the yachts were for the leader (Kim), though we have no evidence of this,” the ministry said.
A deposit was paid for work on the boats, although it was unclear by whom. The boats have since been returned to Azimut-Benetti, one of Italy’s leading luxury yacht makers.
Kim has been portrayed by visitors and North Korean defectors as a leader who enjoys fine dining, cognac and other luxuries. The communist state however suffers food shortages, and relies on overseas aid to feed millions of its people.
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