In stark contrast to North Korea's ageing fleet of passenger aircraft, the bulletproof trains utilized by the regime provide a safer and more comfortable environment for Kim Jong Un and his entourage. These specially designed trains accommodate security guards, offer a variety of food and amenities, and serve as a mobile venue for discussing important agendas prior to high-stakes meetings, say experts in North Korean transportation.
Since ascending to power in late 2011, Kim Jong Un has extensively relied on his train for international visits, including trips to China, Vietnam, and Russia. While the exact number of trains used by North Korean leaders over the years remains unclear, Ahn Byung-min, a South Korean expert, indicates that multiple trains are necessary for security reasons. Each of these trains typically consists of 10 to 15 carriages, with some reserved exclusively for the leader, including a private bedroom, while others accommodate security personnel and medical staff.
These trains are equipped with various essential facilities, including Kim's office, advanced communications equipment, a restaurant, and even carriages designated for transporting two armoured Mercedes vehicles. Recent state media photos captured Kim alongside senior officials, enjoying a cigarette break next to a distinctive green carriage adorned with gold-coloured crests and trim. Inside, Kim was seen in a wood-paneled office featuring a large gold crest flanked by the North Korean flag. His desk was equipped with a gold-embossed laptop, a bank of telephones, his signature box of cigarettes, and bottles containing blue or clear liquids, all framed by blue-and-gold curtains.
A video released by North Korean state television in 2018 showcased Kim meeting with top Chinese officials in a spacious train car furnished with pink couches. Additionally, footage from 2020 revealed Kim riding the train to assess damage in a typhoon-hit area, providing a glimpse of a carriage adorned with flower-shaped lighting and zebra-print fabric chairs.
Historically, the use of trains by North Korean leaders dates back to Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Un's grandfather, who frequently travelled abroad by train until his death in 1994. Kim Jong Il, Kim's father and predecessor, also relied solely on trains for international trips, including a notable 20,000 km journey to Moscow in 2001. He tragically passed away from a heart attack while on one of his trains, which is now displayed at his mausoleum. The train has played a significant role in state propaganda, highlighting the ruling Kim family's commitment to connecting with ordinary North Koreans through long train journeys across the country.
When Kim Jong Un travels by train, especially during his trips to Russia, such as the 2023 summit with President Vladimir Putin, the train's wheel assemblies must be reconfigured at border stations due to the differing rail gauges used by the two countries, according to Ahn. While there is no such requirement when crossing into China, a Chinese locomotive typically pulls the train after entering, as a local engineer is familiar with the rail system and signals. Kim Han-tae, a former South Korean train engineer, points out that Kim's specially equipped train carriages are usually towed by matching green DF11Z locomotives, which are Chinese-made and adorned with the emblem of the state-owned China Railway Corporation.
During previous summits with Xi Jinping, Kim's train was typically pulled by engines reserved for senior officials, showcasing his status. Furthermore, when Kim travelled to Vietnam for a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in 2019, his train was hauled by a striking red-and-yellow locomotive, marked with China's national railway logo. The train can achieve speeds of up to 80 kph (50 mph) on China's network, significantly faster than its maximum speed of about 45 kph (28 mph) on North Korean tracks, according to Ahn.
The bulletproof trains of North Korea not only serve as a means of transportation for its leaders but also symbolize the regime's emphasis on security, luxury, and propaganda. As Kim Jong Un continues to utilize these trains for diplomatic engagements, they remain a powerful tool for showcasing the North Korean leadership's unique style and authority.
