Kim Jong Un Travels Armored Train to Beijing Victory Day Parade with Xi, Putin

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has embarked on a rare and heavily armored train journey to Beijing to attend the Victory Day military parade, marking his first appearance at a multilateral international summit and the first North Korean leader to attend a Chinese military parade since 1959. The parade commemorates the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II and will feature Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and 26 other global leaders, highlighting the growing alignment among China, Russia, and North Korea amid Western tensions. Kim's bulletproof train, dubbed the 'moving fortress,' reportedly includes luxury amenities and conference chambers, but travels slowly due to its heavy armor and security measures. Experts note Kim's trip signals a strengthening of ties with Beijing and Moscow, potentially deepening divisions with the U.S.-led bloc including South Korea and Japan. Western leaders are largely boycotting the event, while China is bolstering relationships with Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latin American countries. On the sidelines, Kim may hold separate talks with Xi and Putin, further underscoring the strategic significance of his visit.