- By Supratik Das
- Tue, 02 Sep 2025 11:59 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has again chosen his armoured train, known as the Taeyangho or the “Sun Train,” to travel abroad, this time to China for a rare overseas visit. Despite its slow speed, the bulletproof train has continued to be the choice of transportation for the Kim dynasty, providing unmatched security, luxury, and room to carry out state business on the move.
Kim Jong Un left Pyongyang late on Monday with senior officials, including Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, to observe a military parade in Beijing. His trip is part of the legacy of North Korean leaders employing safe rail travel as a diplomatic means. Both Kim Il Sung, the country's founding leader, and his successor Kim Jong Il depended largely on specially designed trains for long-distance travel, sometimes running thousands of kilometres. Kim Jong Il famously rode a train to Moscow in 2001, having travelled 20,000 km in one go. He even died on one such train in 2011, cementing its place as a part of North Korean state mythology. Kim Jong Un has followed the tradition, riding a train to China, Russia, and even Vietnam for his meeting with Donald Trump.
What's Inside Kim's Train?
Although precise details are classified as a state secret, Korean news outlets and rare state television images have provided some hints at the luxurious interiors.
The key features of the Taeyangho are as follows:
• Personal suites with a bedroom and office for Kim Jong Un.
• Restaurant cars with imported food and drinks.
• Medical facilities and room for personal bodyguards.
• Communication equipment to remain in touch with Pyongyang.
• Armoured car transport carriages to transport two armoured Mercedes for use on arrival.
In 2018, a video exposed spacious carriages equipped with pink sofas, while subsequent footage unveiled zebra-striped chairs and flower-patterned ceiling lights. Past accounts discuss Kim Jong Il indulging in French wines, fresh lobsters, and gourmet food on board—showcasing the train's luxury reputation.
How The Train Crosses Borders
Kim's recent trip to China did not need a change in the rail gauge, but a Chinese locomotive takes over once the train crosses the Chinese border. Such locomotives, typically green DF11Z models, are reserved for senior officials and bear serial numbers of 0001 or 0002. The case is different with Russia, though. Wheel assemblies of the train have to be changed at the border due to different track gauges. This has been witnessed during Kim's 2023 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Despite its heavy armour and weight, the train is capable of speeds of 80 km/h on Chinese railtracks, compared with only 45 km/h inside North Korea.
Why Kim Prefers 'Taeyangho' Over Jets?
The use of trains comes down to safety and convenience. Unlike flights, trains are harder to intercept or attack. They also offer a mobile command center with enough space for Kim's entourage, gear, and cars. North Korea's flag carrier airline, Air Koryo, has been listed among the world's worst airlines for years. As a result, rail travel is seen as more reliable and convenient. Furthermore, the train gives Kim the privilege of having private meetings and strategy sessions during the long hours of travel. The train is not merely transportation, but a tool of statecraft.
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By travelling alongside President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at major international events, Kim signals North Korea’s alignment with China and Russia in countering US-led policies. This is his first visit to Beijing since 2019. At a time when North Korea is strengthening its ties with Russia, reportedly sending weapons to the conflict in Ukraine, the appearance on stage with Xi and Putin is likely to increase Kim's diplomatic standing and reinforce the message of unity.
Taeyangho train represents North Korea's blend of secrecy, tradition, and grandeur. Though slow by comparison to air travel, it offers Kim Jong Un the security, luxury, and symbolism he demands. With each journey to Beijing, Moscow, or Hanoi, it reinforces the way the armored train is not just a means of transportation but an expression of the regime's image of power and strength.
