North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has wrapped up his remarkable six-day visit to Russia. Arriving by a distinctive dark green train, Kim’s travel mode has been a unique hallmark of his leadership since taking over in 2011, and it certainly made headlines when he arrived in Russia aboard it.
The Train Tradition: A Family Legacy
Kim Jong Un’s predecessors, including his grandfather Kim Il Sung, relied on trains for their travels. Kim Il Sung’s extensive use of trains during his reign is a notable part of North Korean history.
Kim Jong Il’s Moscow Train Journey: A Lavish Experience
Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong Un’s father, embarked on a memorable 20,000-kilometer journey to Moscow in 2001, exclusively by train. His train was a mobile “sweet home and an office,” equipped for luxury and security.
Kim Jong Il’s Legacy Car: A Mausoleum Display
Kim Jong Il’s train journey also had a poignant ending, as he passed away on one of his trains in 2011. Today, the carriage from that journey is on display at his mausoleum.
Kim Jong Un’s Train Moments: Corn Fields and Diplomacy
In recent years, Kim Jong Un’s train journeys have offered glimpses of his life and diplomatic engagements. From inspecting corn crops to hosting meetings with foreign officials, these train cars have played a role in shaping his public image.
Inside the North Korean Leaders’ Trains: A Closer Look
A video from 2018 revealed the interior of Kim Jong Un’s train, complete with pink couches and an office space adorned with maps of China and the Korean peninsula.
Luxurious Travel Amidst Typhoons
In 2020, Kim Jong Un visited a typhoon-hit area using a train carriage decked out with flower-shaped lighting and zebra-printed fabric chairs, showcasing the train’s opulent interiors.
Kim Jong Il’s Moscow Odyssey: Bordeaux, Lobsters, and More
The 2022 book “Orient Express” details Kim Jong Il’s three-week train journey to Moscow. It included fine wines, live lobsters, a residential carriage, car transportation carriages with armored Mercedes, and a restaurant.
Security and Luxury on North Korean Trains
South Korean expert Ahn Byung-min reveals that North Korean leaders travel in trains with 10-15 carriages each. Some carriages are dedicated to the leader, serving as a bedroom and more, while others accommodate security personnel and medical staff.
North Korean leaders’ trains typically travel at a leisurely pace of up to 40 kilometers per hour due to the country’s outdated rail network. Despite the slow speed, the train remains the preferred mode of travel for its safety and comfort.
Changing Wheels: Crossing the Russian Border
A crucial detail of these journeys is the need to change the train’s wheels at the Russian border or a North Korean station bordering Russia due to the different rail gauges used by the two countries.
(With Reuters Inputs)