On February 9, 2025, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made a notable entrance into Beijing aboard his distinctive green train, as world leaders gathered for a significant military parade. This event marks the 80th anniversary commemorating Japan’s surrender at the conclusion of World War II. Attendees include various foreign presidents, with Russian President Vladimir Putin being a key figure among them.
Kim’s journey and luxurious train
Kim departed from Pyongyang on Monday, accompanied by high-ranking officials, including Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui. According to reports from South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, his armored train entered China early Tuesday and is expected to arrive in Beijing by the afternoon.
Known for its lavish accommodations, Kim’s private train is equipped with bedrooms and meeting spaces. This mode of transport has become his favored choice since he assumed power in 2011. Notable journeys include trips to Hanoi, Vietnam in 2019, which took nearly three days, as well as a visit to Vladivostok, Russia in 2023. Due to its heavy armor, the train typically travels at approximately 60 kilometers per hour, resulting in a 20-hour trip from Pyongyang to Beijing.
While Kim’s father, Kim Jong-il, was rumored to have a fear of flying, Kim Jong-un has demonstrated a willingness to take to the skies, as evidenced by his flight to Singapore for a meeting with US President Donald Trump in 2018. Despite North Korea’s economic challenges, both Kim Jong-il and his father, Kim Il-sung, were known to host lavish dining experiences on board their train, featuring gourmet meals such as lobster and pork barbecue paired with fine French wines. The train is also outfitted with an auditorium, flatscreen TVs, and a satellite phone connection. To accommodate the Kim dynasty, around 20 new stations were constructed specifically for the train prior to Kim Jong-un’s reign.
Significance of the visit and diplomatic relations
This trip marks Kim Jong-un’s first visit to China since 2019, and it is the fifth time he has visited the country during his 14 years in power. At this major multilateral event, Kim is anticipated to engage in bilateral discussions with both President Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. A Kremlin aide, Yuri Ushakov, mentioned that a meeting between Putin and Kim is currently “under consideration.”
Furthermore, intelligence reports from Seoul suggest that Kim may join both the Chinese and Russian leaders in Tiananmen Square during the parade on Wednesday. While North Korea’s relationship with Russia has strengthened in recent years amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, ties with China have reportedly faced some strain. Analysts suggest that Kim is keen to enhance relations with Beijing, given that China is North Korea’s largest trading partner. This visit also serves as an opportunity for Kim to engage with other world leaders, aiming to lessen his country’s international isolation.
“While North Korea remains one of the poorest countries in the world due to sanctions and isolationist politics, both Kim Jong-il and his father Kim Il-sung are said to have hosted opulent dinners on the train.”