North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has departed Pyongyang aboard his iconic armoured train, en route to Beijing to participate in a massive military parade. According to reports, the train departed on Monday night, and the trip should take around 24 hours due to the heavy security and low speed.
The parade on Wednesday will be on “Victory Day,” celebrating the 80th anniversary of Japan’s World War Two surrender. Kim will be joined at the event by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, and other global leaders. It will be the first visit by a North Korean leader to a Chinese parade since 1959.
Luxury Train and Strong Tradition
Kim’s train is no ordinary train. It is said to consist of approximately 90 carriages with meeting rooms, sleeping quarters, and even a restaurant that offers high-cost meals like lobster and French wine. It was the tradition of travelling by train that Kim’s grandfather, Kim Il Sung, started off with and used for his overseas visits as well. His father, Kim Jong Il, followed suit since he was said to be afraid of flying.
This is not the first train journey to China for Kim Jong Un. He last traveled by train to Beijing in 2019 to attend a ceremony celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations. But this trip is unique in that it will be his first multilateral summit, with numerous world leaders in attendance.
What the Parade Will Show
The Victory Day parade will be held on Beijing’s historic Tiananmen Square. Tens of thousands of troops are to march, while China’s military will display its latest weapons, tanks, aircraft, and anti-drone systems. China’s new force structure will be showcased here for the first time at such a massive parade.
Several Western leaders are not likely to participate, primarily due to controversies surrounding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Nevertheless, leaders from Myanmar, Vietnam, Iran, and Cuba will be attending. The only European Union leader who has confirmed attendance is the Prime Minister of Slovakia, while representatives from countries such as Hungary and Bulgaria will attend.
FAQs
- Â Why does Kim Jong Un always travel by train?
It is a family tradition initiated by his grandfather. His father also liked to travel by train because he was afraid of flying.
- Â How long will the train trip take?
Approximately 24 hours, since the armoured train travels slowly due to safety considerations.
- Â When did Kim visit China last?
He visited China last in 2019 to commemorate 70 years of diplomatic relations.
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