Kim Jong-un Travels to China by Armored Train for Historic Victory Day Parade

Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has departed for Beijing aboard his iconic armored train to attend China’s grand Victory Day military parade on Wednesday. The visit marks not only Kim’s first participation in a major multilateral international event but also the first appearance of a North Korean leader at a military parade in China since 1959.

According to British media, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and other world leaders will welcome Kim upon his arrival. South Korean outlets report that Kim’s luxury train, consisting of over 90 carriages, is equipped with conference rooms, audience chambers, bedrooms, and even a restaurant serving fresh lobster and expensive French wine.

Due to strict security measures, the train travels at a slow pace, with the journey to Beijing expected to take around 24 hours. The visit highlights growing warmth in China–North Korea relations, particularly as the West continues to impose sanctions on Russia and North Korea faces increasing isolation.

The parade, held at Beijing’s historic Tiananmen Square, will feature cutting-edge Chinese military technology, including advanced drone-defense systems, fighter jets, tanks, and newly developed military structures. Leaders from Myanmar, Iran, Cuba, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and 26 other countries will also attend. From the European Union, only Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is participating, while Hungary and Bulgaria are sending representatives.

The 70-minute-long ceremony commemorates the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II and the end of the conflict.