Kim Jong Un Travels to Beijing on Armored 'Moving Fortress' Train to Join Xi and Putin at Military Parade

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is en route to Beijing aboard a heavily armored, bulletproof train as he prepares to attend a military parade alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, state media reported Monday.

The trip, Kim’s first visit to Beijing since 2019, is expected to culminate Tuesday at an event marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency said the North Korean train, known as Taeyangho and described by state media as a “moving fortress,” is being used to ensure the leader’s protection during transit.

State-run North Korean outlets provided limited details about the journey, which underscores Pyongyang’s preference for rail travel for its supreme leader. The visit comes as North Korea seeks to bolster diplomatic and security ties with both China and Russia amid rising regional and global tensions.

Chinese state media have framed the parade as a showcase of military capability and an occasion to highlight Beijing’s role on the world stage. The presence of the leaders of China, Russia and North Korea at the same event is likely to be read as a signal of growing alignment among the three governments on strategic issues, though official statements from the three capitals have emphasized ceremonial and commemorative aspects.

Kim’s last trip to China in 2019 was widely noted at the time as a demonstration of close ties with Beijing following a period of intense diplomacy with the United States. North Korean state coverage of the current trip emphasized security arrangements and the armored nature of the train; the specialized railcar has been used in previous journeys by the North Korean leadership.

Foreign-policy analysts say such high-profile joint appearances can carry symbolic weight, particularly when staged during military parades that draw international attention. The 80th-anniversary event offers host China an opportunity to present a narrative of strength while engaging with partners whose relations with Western countries have been strained.

Officials in Seoul and Tokyo have expressed concern about displays that could deepen strategic cooperation among Beijing, Moscow and Pyongyang. South Korea’s government routinely monitors movements by North Korea’s leader closely for indications of shifts in policy, posture or arms-related developments.

North Korea’s participation in the Beijing event follows a period in which Pyongyang has sought to maintain diplomatic space with multiple partners while pursuing its own security and economic objectives. The armored train journey is consistent with the regime’s longstanding emphasis on secure and controlled travel for its leadership.

Precise details about the itinerary and engagements Kim will have in Beijing beyond attendance at the parade were not disclosed in initial reports. State-run media coverage is expected to provide more complete accounts once the meetings and events are underway or concluded.

The coordinated appearance of the three leaders at a major commemorative event will likely be assessed by governments and analysts for any signals about future cooperation, joint statements or coordinated policies, particularly in the security and diplomatic arenas. Reporting on the trip will continue as more information becomes available from official sources and state media.