In contrast to North Korea's aging fleet of passenger aircraft, the country's bulletproof trains provide a significantly safer and more comfortable environment for leaders and their entourages. These specially designed trains allow for ample space for security personnel, essential amenities, and a private area for discussing important agendas before critical meetings. Experts agree that this mode of transportation is strategically advantageous for the North Korean leader.
Since ascending to power in late 2011, Kim Jong Un has frequently utilized trains for international visits to countries such as China, Vietnam, and Russia. The exact number of trains used by North Korean leaders over the years remains uncertain. However, Ahn Byung-min, a South Korean expert on North Korean transport, notes that multiple trains are deployed for security purposes. Each train typically comprises 10 to 15 carriages, with some designated solely for the leader's use, featuring a bedroom and other essential facilities. Other carriages accommodate security personnel and medical staff, along with spaces for Kim's office, communication equipment, and even a dining area.
Recent state media photos have showcased Kim Jong Un alongside senior officials, enjoying a cigarette break next to a distinctive green carriage adorned with gold-colored crests and trim. Inside, Kim was seen in a wooden-paneled office featuring a large gold crest and flanked by the North Korean flag. His desk was equipped with a gold-embossed laptop, multiple telephones, and personal items, including his signature box of cigarettes and stylish bottles containing blue or clear liquids. The windows were elegantly trimmed with blue-and-gold curtains, creating a luxurious atmosphere.
A video released in 2018 by North Korean state television depicted Kim engaging with top Chinese officials in a spacious train car furnished with pink couches. Likewise, footage from 2020 revealed Kim traveling to a typhoon-affected area, offering a glimpse of a carriage decorated with flower-shaped lighting and zebra-patterned fabric chairs. Historical accounts also paint a vivid picture of the opulence associated with these trains; for instance, in the 2002 book Orient Express, Russian official Konstantin Pulikovsky recounted a lavish three-week train journey to Moscow undertaken by Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong Un's father, which included gourmet items such as cases of Bordeaux wine and live lobsters flown in from Paris.
When Kim Jong Un travels internationally, such as his recent 2023 summit with President Vladimir Putin, the logistics of crossing borders become crucial. The train's wheel assemblies must be reconfigured at border stations to accommodate differing rail gauges between countries. While no such adjustments are necessary for travel to China, a Chinese locomotive typically pulls the train once it crosses the border to ensure familiarity with the local rail system and signals, according to Kim Han-tae, a former South Korean train engineer.
For previous summits with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Kim's train was usually pulled by matching green DF11Z locomotives, which feature the logo of the state-owned China Railway Corporation. Ahn noted that the serial numbers of these trains often indicated they were reserved for North Korea's senior officials. On a recent visit, a DF11Z locomotive with the serial number 0003 arrived at Beijing station, pulling more than 20 carriages adorned with the North Korean flag and official emblem. Additionally, the train was accompanied by six Chinese carriages, likely carrying officials who welcomed Kim upon his entry into China.
The train can achieve speeds of up to 80 kph (50 mph) on China's railway network, a significant improvement compared to North Korea's maximum speed of about 45 kph (28 mph). This efficiency is vital for timely travel and meeting coordination during international engagements.
North Korea's first leader, Kim Il Sung, frequently traveled abroad by train during his time in power until his death in 1994. His son, Kim Jong Il, also relied primarily on trains for international travel, making notable trips to Russia, including a lengthy 20,000 km (12,400 miles) journey to Moscow in 2001. Kim Jong Il's demise was reportedly due to a heart attack while aboard one of his trains, and that carriage is now showcased at his mausoleum.
The trains have become a central theme in state propaganda, symbolizing the ruling Kim family’s commitment to connecting with ordinary North Koreans. In 2022, state television broadcasted footage of Kim Jong Un embarking on an extensive train tour across North Korea to inspect agricultural crops and promote the vision of a communist utopia.
This detailed examination of North Korea's bulletproof trains underscores their crucial role in the nation's leadership dynamics and international relations.
