Kim Jong Un Leaves for China to Attend Beijing Victory Day Parade

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has left Pyongyang aboard his armoured train to attend China’s Victory Day military parade on Wednesday. The event will see the presence of global leaders, including Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, marking Kim’s first multilateral international meeting.

The train reportedly consists of 90 carriages, featuring conference rooms, bedrooms, and even a restaurant serving French wine and lobster. Due to high security measures and slow travel, the journey to Beijing is expected to take around 24 hours.

This visit is significant as it marks the first time a North Korean leader has attended a Chinese military parade since 1959. Kim Jong Un previously visited Beijing in 2019, also by train, continuing a family tradition established by his grandfather, Kim Il Sung.

Observers note that the journey underscores North Korea’s careful approach to diplomacy, blending historic traditions with high-security protocols while signaling engagement with global powers through major international events.