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Some will call this move brave, others will say it was stupid. Either way, Kim Jung Un used his Lexus LX 600 to traverse deep flooded areas to put on a brave face for North Koreans. He could have easily been swept away. 

Kim Jung Un travels through deep flood waters with his Lexus LX 600 

While the Lexus LX 600 is designed to be the ultimate off-roader with luxury comfort, Kim Jung Un managed to push it beyond its limits. 

After North Korea experienced dangerous flooding, Kim Jung Un decided to have a driver take him around the worst areas to check out the damage. 

Roughly 5,000 people had to be evacuated due to the severe flooding, but Kim stayed calm on muddy rods while fording several feet of water. 

Reportedly, he has a history of using vehicles to enter flood zones. In 2020, he visited a flooded village in a Lexus LX 570, and he was behind the wheel. 

He could have easily been swept away, but reportedly, by putting himself out there he was demonstrating that the state can provide for its people. 

Kim Jung Un hanging out the window of his Lexus LX 600
Kim Jung Un in his Lexus LX 600 | North Korea

Kim also paired the rescue and evacuation efforts and condemned officials for their lack of preparedness for the flood season. As flooding is common, they should have known what to expect. 

Typically, six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, leading to the loss of control and stalling. Two feet of rushing water can carry larger SUVs and pick-up trucks away. 

The Lexus LX 600 is about 6,000 lbs with a water-fording depth of 27.5 inches. It has a ground clearance of up to 8.3 inches. I expected it to be a little taller. 

It’s unclear which LX 600 model, Kim has, but the Ultra Luxury model has the most bells and whistles like massaging seats and a wireless phone charging pad in the second row. 

Each model has standard 4×4 and a turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine with 409 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. 

The Land Rover Defender 130 might be better for these types of dangerous activities, but the LX 600 is more comfortable. At the end of the day, Kim is lucky that the flood waters didn’t sweep him away.

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Staff Writer

Allison Barfield

Allison Barfield joined MotorBiscuit in 2020 and covers all things trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps. Having grown up on a farm in Rock Hill, South Carolina, she’s no stranger to the “Best in Class” truck and SUV debates; people in her hometown were always gathering to help work on vehicles together, and deliberation would naturally arise.

Allison graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Media Arts. She has helped bring awareness to issues Women In Trucking face and has promoted Truckers Against Trafficking, an anti-trafficking NGO.

A fan of creatively dark literature, Allison appreciates the works of Shirley Jackson and Emily Dickenson. She lives in a mountainous area of the country and enjoys off-roading and camping. Her dog, Bruce, often joins her in testing trucks and SUVs for our site.