"ITALY has blocked the multi-million-dollar sale of two luxury yachts Italian police say were destined for North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in violation of international sanctions.

The 32m and 29m Italian-made seafaring vessels were ordered from the Azimut-Benetti boatyard, a maker of luxury yachts near Turin, by an Austrian company. A Chinese company stepped in later to complete the purchase, Italy's Economic Development Ministry said.

Italian financial police said the Chinese company paid a Hong Kong business to take delivery of the vessels, valued at nearly

$US18.5 million ($22.6m).

An investigation found the yachts ultimately were bound for the reclusive communist nation in violation of international sanctions barring the sale of luxury goods to North Korea, the ministry said.

Colonel Antonio Leone, financial police commander in Lucca, said "it is an irrefutable fact" that Kim was the intended final recipient.

"There has been a thorough investigation, partly in Austria, backed up by confessions and investigative breakthroughs." A person at the North Korean embassy in Rome said no one was available to comment.

The yachts were initially confiscated by Italy's Economic Development Ministry but have since been returned to the boatyard, which has been allowed to keep the deposit. Azimut-Benetti is not accused of wrongdoing and has co-operated fully in the investigation, police said.

The sale of luxury goods to North Korea is banned under a UN resolution."


Italy sinks yachts sale to Kim Jong-il | The Australian

 

So there is a good deal on two Azimuts?

 

Where would he even use them?

 

There is a far amount of shoreline in North Korea