Kim’s Armored Dynasty Train Powers Through China Border

Kim Jong Un travels to Beijing in his dynasty’s famous armored train, marking his first trip to China since 2019 and first overseas visit since Russia in 2023. The North Korean leader chose the most important symbol of his family’s power – a bulletproof luxury train that represents their secluded nation. Kim could have used his official Chammae-1 airplane to make the 80-minute flight, but he picked this slower yet historically rich way to travel instead.

The heavily armored train, known as “Moving Fortress” and officially named Taeyangho (Korean for “sun”), moves at just 60 kilometers (37 miles) per hour. The 1,333-kilometer route from Pyongyang to Beijing takes about 20 hours, while a direct flight would cover only 782 kilometers. This train carries deep family ties – it served as the primary transport for all North Korean leaders, including Kim’s father and grandfather. Kim Jong Il’s era saw the construction of 20 special stations just for this family train. Bulletproof glass combines with reinforced walls and floors to stop explosives, creating what many call “Air Force One on rails”.

Kim Jong Un boards armored train for rare China visit

_{Image Source: Fox News}

Kim Jong Un traveled to China in his signature dark green armored train early Tuesday, as confirmed by North Korean state media. Photos in the Rodong Sinmun newspaper showed the leader with a smile on his face, seated at a wooden table with a North Korean flag behind him. Other photos captured him standing next to the train while smoking a cigarette.

The leader travels with Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui and the core team of officials. The team includes Kim Song Nam, who directs the International Affairs Department and manages relations with China’s ruling Communist Party. Kim Tok Hun, previously a premier, now guides economic and internal affairs. Jo Yong Won, who leads the organization and guidance department, also joins the delegation.

Kim left Pyongyang Monday, September 1, to join celebrations for the 80th anniversary of China’s victory in what North Korea calls “the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War”. Chinese President Xi Jinping personally invited him to attend.

This visit marks a crucial diplomatic milestone for the North Korean leader. The Beijing gathering brings together Kim, Xi, and Russian President Vladimir Putin – all major challengers to the United States – in one venue for the first time. While 26 world leaders will join Xi at Wednesday’s military parade, Kim’s appearance draws special attention since he has never attended such a major multilateral event during his 14-year rule.

Why Kim Jong Un prefers train over plane for diplomacy

_{Image Source: CNN}

Kim Jong Un’s armored train gives him better security protection than aircraft that enemies could shoot down. The train moves slowly at 37-60 kilometers per hour, making his experience to Beijing last about 20-24 hours. A flight would take just two hours.

Security is the main goal behind choosing this transport. People call it the “Moving Fortress” because it has bulletproof windows and reinforced walls and floors that can withstand explosives. The operation involves multiple trains running at once – one train checks security ahead while another carries bodyguards behind.

This choice runs in Kim’s family. His father Kim Jong Il started avoiding flights after he saw an aircraft explosion in 1982. He then used trains only for foreign trips, including his famous 20,000-kilometer journey to Moscow in 2001.

Kim Jong Un does fly sometimes in his private “Chammae-1” jet, but trains are a great way to get what he needs. His train carries his large entourage, security team, and has room for two armored Mercedes vehicles. The setup includes 10-15 carriages with his office, communications systems, meeting rooms, and restaurants.

Trains serve strategic purposes too. Experts say rail travel grabs international attention while making his movements harder to track. The train helps Kim avoid looking bad when others see his old Soviet-era aircraft next to modern planes used by world leaders.

Kim’s Beijing visit signals deepening China-Russia-North Korea ties

_{Image Source: Yahoo News Canada}

Kim Jong Un, Xi Jinping, and Vladimir Putin met in Beijing, marking a strategic union of nations that increasingly stand against Western interests. Their diplomatic gathering comes at a crucial time as each country faces growing international pressure.

China’s decision to host North Korea’s leader shows its growing regional influence. Xi Jinping must balance his country’s economic ties with the West and strategic relationships with neighboring authoritarian regimes. Beijing’s quest for regional solidarity becomes more apparent as it deals with economic challenges and U.S. tensions.

Military cooperation between Russia and North Korea has changed the geopolitical world. These nations share common ground in their opposition to Western sanctions. Putin benefits from showing alternative diplomatic channels, especially since Russia’s isolation after invading Ukraine.

Kim’s rare trip abroad serves several purposes beyond China’s historical celebration. North Korea’s leader needs economic support from China and shows his skill at moving between major powers. His presence alongside Putin suggests he wants to join a broader anti-Western alliance.

These three leaders meeting together carries deep meaning. Their gathering points to possible teamwork on everything from fighting sanctions to sharing technology. Many analysts see this as a sign of a new authoritarian group ready to challenge today’s world order.

Kim Jong Un’s train ride to Beijing in his legendary armored train means much more than just choosing how to travel. His fortress on wheels moves at just 37 miles per hour. This choice shows both North Korean leadership traditions and the regime’s focus on security. Kim owns modern aircraft that could make the trip much faster, but he thought over his choice to travel by rail – just like his father and grandfather did.

The North Korean leader rarely appears internationally, which makes this visit diplomatically crucial. His presence at China’s military parade for the 80th anniversary of victory against Japanese aggression breaks away from his usual isolated approach to foreign policy. On top of that, the meeting of Kim, Xi Jinping, and Vladimir Putin at one event shows deeper bonds forming between three nations that often oppose Western interests.

The visit’s timing matters greatly. North Korea still faces international sanctions, so this Beijing trip could help secure vital economic support from China. Russia’s growing military ties with Pyongyang have changed regional power dynamics. These three leaders face Western pressure in different ways and seem to be building mutually beneficial alliances based on shared authoritarian values.

Kim’s armored train serves multiple symbolic purposes. The “Moving Fortress” will give him physical protection through bulletproof glass and reinforced construction while showing political power. His choice of a 20-hour train journey instead of a quick flight shows his respect for tradition and sends a calculated diplomatic message to his powerful neighbor.

This meeting of three leaders means more than just ceremony. Their presence together hints at new cooperation on everything from fighting sanctions to sharing technology. The world watches these shifting global alliances as Kim’s green armored train rolls into Beijing – a powerful symbol of authoritarian unity in an increasingly divided world.