‘Slow’, armored and traditional: Meet train that Kim Jong Unwained for a rare trip to China

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s train arrives in Beijing, China, September 2, 2025. Reuters/GO Nakamura The president of North Korea Kim Jong-un, arrived in China on Tuesday (2) for a rare official visit to the neighboring country. Kim traveled to his presidential train to Beijing, where he will meet Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin and follow a military parade of the Chinese government. ✅ Click here to follow the G1 international news channel on WhatsApp The characteristic Kim Green Train, which takes it on its trips abroad, has a top speed of 60 km/h, is highly fortified and has several luxuries, such as a private room, meetings rooms and space for two presidential cars. According to South Korean Ahn Byung-Min, North Korean transport specialist, Kim has several trains for safety reasons, but all are in a similar standard. These trains have 10 to 15 wagons each, some used only by the leader, including one room, while others carry security guards and medical staff. Usually these trains also include space for Kim’s office, communication equipment, a restaurant and wagons for two armored Mercedes, Ahn added. According to intelligence reports, the top speed of the Kim train is 60 km/h, considered low for current travel trains. This is for security reasons. The train has adaptations to walk in different neighboring countries, which have different track systems to North Koreans. In China, the train can sail at a speed of up to 90 km/h, according to Ahn. North Korean President Kim Jong-un during a train from Pyongyang to Pequm, China’s capital, on September 2, 2025. KCNA via Reuters photos of state media on Tuesday showed Kim smiling during a meeting with high-ranking staff with wooden panels, a large golden coat and other luxury details such as blue-and-a-yard curtains. On his table, Kim had a golden laptop and a phone. Trains like this became a tradition of the dynasty in the power of North Korea. She was started by Kim Jong-un’s grandfather Kim Il Sung, who made train trips to Vietnam and Eastern Europe. Kim’s father, Kim Jong Il, was also traveling by train, as reportedly was afraid to fly. A video released in 2018 by North Korean state TV showed Kim meeting with senior Chinese employees in a large wagon surrounded by pink sofas. By 2020, state TV images showed Kim on a train visiting a region hit by a typhoon, offering a vision of a wagon decorated with flower -shaped lights and zebra print chairs. A Russian politician described in a book published in 2002 a trip by Kim Jong Il, father and predecessor of Kim Jong-un, the Moscow that lasted three weeks. According to the book, the train that took the then North Korean leader carried Bordeaux and Beaujolais wine boxes, as well as living lobsters. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s train arrives in Beijing, China, September 2, 2025. Reuters/Tingshu Wang Travel to China Kim Jong-un arrived in Beijing early Tuesday, in Brasilia, to participate in a celebration that marks the 80th anniversary of Japan formal surrender in World War II, which will include a military parade. On a rare international trip to the largest multilateral diplomatic event that Kim has ever participated, it is expected to meet with foreign leaders by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Reuters news agency, Kim is accompanied by Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, and authorities of the North Korean Workers Party – which has ties with the Chinese Communist Party – such as the director of the International Affairs Department, the Secretary of the Central Committee and the director of the Department of Organization and Guidance. Kim is accompanied by his daughter Ju Ae on the trip to China, according to reports from South Korea’s intelligence. This report is updated.

Source link