North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has confirmed his attendance at the 80th anniversary celebration of China’s victory in the Anti-Japanese War (Victory Day) on September 3, sparking speculation about his mode of transportation to Beijing—whether by private train or airplane.
North Korea and China made simultaneous announcements regarding Kim’s visit on Thursday. However, aside from his participation in the September 3 event, no specific details about his itinerary in China have been disclosed.
This marks Kim’s first overseas trip since his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia’s Far East in September 2023, and his first visit to China in about six years, following his meeting with President Xi Jinping in Beijing in January 2019.
Historically, North Korea’s supreme leaders have preferred train travel for international trips, citing safety and security concerns. Notably, Kim Jong Il, who was reportedly wary of flying due to safety issues and fears of U.S. assassination attempts, once endured a grueling ten-day train journey to Moscow for a meeting with President Putin in 2001.
In contrast, since assuming power, Kim has frequently been seen flying. He has even showcased his ability to pilot small aircraft, demonstrating no fear of flying and projecting a more daring image.
Kim first used his private jet, dubbed Chammae-1 after North Korea’s then-national bird (now changed to magpie), for his trip to Dalian, China, in May 2018 to meet President Xi. However, the aircraft, a modified Soviet-era Ilyushin IL-62M, has raised safety concerns due to its outdated technology.
During the historic U.S.-North Korea summit in Singapore in June 2018, China offered to lend North Korea a plane. Some analysts interpreted this gesture as China showing more concern for Kim’s safety than for North Korea’s aging aircraft fleet.
For subsequent summits, Kim has consistently opted for his private train. During the second U.S.-North Korea summit in February 2019, he embarked on a 60-hour train journey through China to reach Hanoi, Vietnam, which garnered significant international attention.
Kim also chose his private train for visits to Vladivostok for a North Korea-Russia summit in April 2019 and to the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia’s Far East in September 2023.
Kim’s private train, often described as a moving fortress, is reportedly constructed with thick steel plating and equipped with a command center, bedroom, and state-of-the-art communication and defense systems. The reinforced body, windows, and floor are designed to provide substantial protection against potential bomb threats. The train also features luxurious accommodations for meetings and overnight stays, including the capability to transport Kim’s personal vehicles.
Experts believe Kim is likely to choose his private train for this Beijing trip as well. Oh Kyung-seop, a researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, stated that while it’s difficult to predict with certainty, given North Korea’s underdeveloped aviation industry, train travel appears to be the safer option in terms of accident prevention and security maintenance.
However, if China were to extend an offer to provide President Xi’s private jet, as they did for the 2018 Singapore summit, there’s a possibility that Kim might accept the gesture and opt to fly to Beijing.
