Kim Jong Un Travels to China via Armored Train

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is reportedly en route to China on Monday, traveling in his heavily armored train. He’s expected to arrive in Beijing on Tuesday, where he will participate in a military parade alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

This visit marks Kim’s first trip to Beijing since 2019, and it’s seen as an effort to bolster North Korea’s relationships with both China and Russia. The military parade commemorates the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II, emphasizing China’s desire to display its military capabilities amid rising global tensions.

According to reports, the train, named Theango—translated to “mobile fortress”—is designed to keep Kim secure as he travels. North Korean trains are notably bulletproof and operate at a relatively slow speed of around 60 km/h. The journey to Beijing, covering a distance of about 1,300 kilometers, is projected to take roughly 20 hours, which seems slow considering the heavy armor and railway conditions.

It’s also been noted that these trains typically transport between 10 and 15 horse-drawn carriages, with some designated for security personnel and medical staff. The armored train includes meeting rooms, audience areas, and bedrooms, which reflects the extensive preparations for such a journey.

Kim’s departure was confirmed on Monday by Kim Jung Il, director of North Korea’s Foreign Ministry’s news department. He stated that the leader set off for Beijing on September 1st aboard a private train, as part of the celebrations for the anniversary of the war against Japan’s invasion.

Accompanying Kim are high-ranking party and government officials, including Foreign Minister Cho Sung Hui. The anticipated military parade in Beijing will include thousands of troops and showcase China’s latest weaponry, lasting about 70 minutes as they march through Tiananmen Square.

This visit comes shortly after South Korean President’s significant trip to the United States and a meeting with Donald Trump, which focused on trilateral cooperation to counter North Korea’s advancing nuclear and missile programs.

Traveling in armored trains has been a tradition for North Korea’s ruling dynasty for some time. Kim Jong Il, Kim’s father, preferred rail travel over flying due to security concerns. It seems Kim Jong Un is continuing this family custom, having made similar travel arrangements for previous trips, including his last visit to Beijing in 2019 and discussions with Putin following the invasion of Ukraine.