Kim Jong Un Heads to Beijing by Armored Train for Military Parade with Xi and Putin
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is traveling to China aboard one of his heavily armored, fortress-like trains, according to state media reports released Monday.
The 41-year-old dictator is expected to arrive in Beijing on Tuesday, where he will join Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a major military parade. The event commemorates the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II and is seen as a display of military strength and strategic unity among the three nations.
This marks Kim’s first visit to Beijing since 2019 and comes as Pyongyang works to strengthen its ties with both China and Russia amid rising global tensions.
Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly remains open to dialogue with Kim, despite claims that the North Korean leader recently snubbed a personal letter.
Kim Jong Un Travels to Beijing Aboard Armored ‘Moving Fortress’ Train
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is making his way to Beijing aboard his heavily fortified train, known as Taeyangho — or “Moving Fortress” — according to Chinese news agency Yonhap News.
The bulletproof train, traveling at a cautious pace of around 60 kilometers per hour, is expected to take approximately 20 hours to complete the 1,300-kilometer journey. The slow speed is largely due to the train’s heavy armor and the condition of North Korea’s rail infrastructure.
Typically comprising 10 to 15 carriages, the train includes several cars reserved exclusively for Kim, including a private bedroom. Additional compartments are designated for security personnel and medical staff, according to the Associated Press.
Kim is en route to attend a major military parade in Beijing alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The event marks the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II and is seen as a strategic show of unity between the three nations.
Meanwhile, North Korea has broken its silence on Donald Trump’s political comeback, with state media relaying a message from “Rocket Man” — a nickname the former U.S. president once used for Kim — hinting at Pyongyang’s continued interest in U.S. relations.
Kim Jong Un Confirms Beijing Visit, Travels Aboard Armored Train with Top Officials
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is officially en route to Beijing aboard his heavily armored private train, which may include conference rooms, audience chambers, and private bedrooms, according to state and regional media reports.
On Monday, Kim Chon-il, director of the North Korean Foreign Ministry’s press and information department, confirmed the leader’s departure.
“Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, left here for Beijing by his private train on Sept. 1 to participate in celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War,” the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported, citing the ministry official.
The journey, which spans approximately 1,300 kilometers, is expected to take about 20 hours due to the train’s armored build and limited rail speeds in North Korea. The bulletproof train, dubbed Taeyangho or “Moving Fortress,” reportedly travels at around 60 kilometers per hour and typically comprises 10 to 15 carriages. Some cars are designated for Kim’s private use, while others house security personnel and medical staff.
KCNA added that Kim is accompanied by senior party and government officials, including Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, highlighting the high-level nature of the visit.
Kim is expected to join Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a large-scale military parade in Beijing commemorating the end of World War II, in a show of deepening strategic ties among the three nations.
Meanwhile, tensions with the West remain high. Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently warned the United States against "exploiting" international alliances during a visit to North Korea, where he also met with Kim Jong Un.
North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un disembarks from a train as he arrives at the Dong Dang railway station, Vietnam, at the border with China in 2019 (Reuters)
Kim Jong Un Travels by Armored Train to Beijing Military Parade Amid Rising Regional Tensions
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is en route to Beijing aboard his heavily armored train, continuing a decades-old family tradition of rail travel for high-profile diplomatic missions. His visit comes ahead of a major military parade marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II—a symbolic event highlighting deepening ties between North Korea, China, and Russia.
According to reports, the parade will see thousands of Chinese troops march through Tiananmen Square in a 70-minute show of force, featuring China’s latest military technology and weaponry. Kim is expected to attend alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The trip follows a high-profile visit to the United States by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung last month, during which he met with former U.S. President Donald Trump and reaffirmed a commitment to trilateral cooperation with Washington and Tokyo to counter North Korea’s growing nuclear and missile threats.
Kim’s choice of travel—a bulletproof, fortress-like train known as Taeyangho—is part of a long-standing tradition within the ruling Kim dynasty. His father, Kim Jong Il, famously preferred rail travel over flying due to a fear of air travel. Kim Jong Un has continued the practice, including during his 2019 visit to Beijing and meetings with Vladimir Putin following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Kim is accompanied on this latest journey by senior officials, including Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, further signaling the diplomatic weight of the visit.
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