North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is en route to Beijing by heavily armored bulletproof train to attend a joint military parade with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The event marks Kim’s first visit to China since 2019, highlighting North Korea’s efforts to strengthen ties with both Beijing and Moscow amid heightened global tensions. The parade commemorates the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II, showcasing China’s military prowess and reinforcing its strategic alliances.
According to Chinese news agency Yonhap News, Kim’s train, known as Taeyangho or ‘moving fortress,’ is designed to provide maximum protection. The bulletproof vehicle travels at a slow speed of 60 kilometers per hour, taking approximately 20 hours to cover the 1,300-kilometer journey to Beijing. The armored train, which typically carries between 10 and 15 carriages, includes private compartments for Kim, dedicated to his comfort and safety. Security guards and medical staff accompany him, with additional conference rooms and audience chambers onboard to facilitate diplomatic engagements.
Kim’s visit comes amid international attention as South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met with former U.S. President Donald Trump in the U.S., emphasizing trilateral cooperation to counter North Korea’s advancing nuclear capabilities. The use of armored rail travel is a family tradition for North Korea’s leadership, with Kim’s father, Kim Jong Il, also relying on rail transport due to a perceived aversion to air travel. Kim has continued this practice, including during his 2019 trip to Beijing and meetings with Putin following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The military parade in Beijing is expected to feature thousands of troops and a display of China’s latest weaponry over a 70-minute spectacle. The event underscores China’s strategic focus on reinforcing its alliances and military readiness amid global geopolitical shifts. The collaboration between China, Russia, and North Korea reflects broader efforts to counter perceived U.S. hegemony and assert regional influence. This visit also highlights the diplomatic significance of the parade, which serves as both a military demonstration and a symbol of historical resilience against foreign aggression.