Kim Jong Un travels to Beijing Aboard Armored Train
BEIJING – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has arrived in Beijing, reportedly traveling aboard the armored train historically used by his father and grandfather, state media confirmed Tuesday. The visit marks Kim’s first known trip to China since March 2019 and comes amid heightened tensions in the region and ongoing diplomatic efforts regarding North Korea’s nuclear program.
The use of the specialized train underscores the kim dynasty’s long-standing reliance on rail travel for security and prestige. Kim previously utilized the train for high-profile international visits, including a 2023 trip to Russia‘s far east to meet with Vladimir Putin and a 2018 meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The train’s interior, glimpsed in state media releases, features polished wooden floors and ornately decorated spaces.
This mode of transport isn’t merely a preference, but a deeply ingrained tradition. Generations of North Korean leaders have favored armored trains for both domestic travel and international diplomacy, offering a secure and self-contained environment. A life-sized model of one of the train’s carriages is even displayed in a mausoleum outside Pyongyang, alongside the remains of Kim’s father and grandfather.
Footage released by North Korean state media in recent years has offered rare glimpses inside the train, showing kim working in his office and relaxing while smoking. during the 2018 meeting with Xi Jinping, Chinese officials were shown boarding the train for talks, with delegations seated on pink couches. The train was also featured in state propaganda depicting the Kim family on journeys to connect with North Korean citizens.
The purpose of kim’s current visit to Beijing remains undisclosed, but it is widely expected to focus on strengthening ties with China, a key economic and political ally, and perhaps discussing the stalled denuclearization talks with the United States.
