Why North Korean leader Kim Jong Un chooses to travel by train, not plane
Kim Jong Un's preference for train travel, particularly his heavily fortified "Sun Train," is a testament to his emphasis on security, tradition, and luxury. The train, equipped with bulletproof carriages, armed guards, and advanced communication systems, serves as both a mobile office and a secure transport vehicle. This method of travel, inherited from his father Kim Jong-il, allows for controlled movement and on-the-go decision-making, showcasing a unique blend of practicality and opulence.
New Delhi: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived in Beijing by his train -- The Sun Train -- to attend the Victory Parade on Wednesday. The fortified and special train grabbed eyeballs and left many curious. Kim Jong Un travels to different places by train, mostly. His choice has to do with his security, tradition and luxury.
His special train is equipped with bulletproof carriages, armed guards, satellite communications, gourmet cuisine, and has space to transport his luxury limousines. Security apart, the train also doubles up as Kim's office.
His father also preferred train
Kim Jong Un's father, the former North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il, feared flying and moved on train wherever he went. He suffered a heart attack while travelling on a train as he was carrying out a field trip. He believed that such field trips gave him an opportunity to see the vast landscapes, the cities, and nature, to pause and step onto the ground, and get firsthand experience.
Kim Jong Un's preference for trains is pronounced. However, at times, he has flown on a Soviet-era jet for short journeys and used a Chinese Boeing 747 in 2018 to travel to Singapore for his meeting with US President Donald Trump. However, for most of his overland diplomacy —- particularly to Beijing and Moscow -— he opts for the fortified train.
His preference is also led by safety concerns over the outdated fleet of Soviet-era aircraft. It is seen as unreliable and vulnerable. The armoured train provides protection and greater control over his travel environment.
It's a moving boardroom
According to reports, the train is armed with bulletproof plating, equipped with heavy weapons, and staffed with medical personnel along with a small army of bodyguards. Its carriages boast of secure communication systems, satellite phones, and even conference halls. State media has shown footage of Kim holding Politburo meetings inside, as officials gather around a long table, thereby turning the train into a moving boardroom.
The train moves slowly due to the heavy armour. It moves at a speed of 60 kph per hour. Kim Jong Un reached Hanoi in almost three days by his special train to meet Trump for the second time.
His train is designed to transport bulletproof limousines, including the Mercedes-Maybach S600 Pullman Guard used during the Singapore and Hanoi meetings, and the Russian Aurus Senat limousine gifted to him by Russian President Vladimir Putin last year, according to reports.