Kim Jong Un Arrives Beijing on Armoured Train for Axis Summit

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un traveled to Beijing aboard his iconic green armored train, a heavily fortified and slow-moving mode of transport that has become a symbol of his family's dynastic rule and diplomatic continuity. The train, featuring 10 to 21 bulletproof carriages with amenities such as private bedrooms, conference rooms, a luxury restaurant, and space for armored vehicles, allows Kim and his entourage to conduct secure discussions en route. This journey, reportedly taking around 20 hours due to the train's average speed of 37-60 km/h, was undertaken to attend a major military parade in Beijing alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, reflecting a display of Cold War-era solidarity. The train's interior has been described as opulent, including fine dining with French wines and vintage liquors, and it is accompanied by unusual security measures like portable toilets to prevent biological sample collection. Kim's use of this train echoes past diplomatic trips, including summits with Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump, underscoring its role as both a practical and symbolic instrument of North Korea's international relations. Experts note that multiple trains and technical adjustments for different rail gauges highlight the complex logistics behind these rare foreign visits.