North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has left Pyongyang for China, where he will be attending a military parade in the capital Beijing, media reports say. The Victory Day parade, which takes place on Wednesday, will see Kim rub shoulders with China's President Xi Jinping, Russia's Vladimir Putin, and other world leaders - making it his first multilateral international meeting.
Kim left the North Korean capital on Monday evening onboard his armored train, which is said to include a restaurant car serving fine French wines and dishes like fresh lobster. The train's heavy protection means it travels slowly, and Kim's journey is expected to take up to 24 hours, according to South Korea's Yonhap agency.
Kim's attendance marks the first time a North Korean leader has attended a Chinese military parade since 1959. He will be among 26 other heads of states - including leaders from Myanmar, Iran, and Cuba - in attendance. His presence signifies an upgrade from China's last Victory Day parade in 2015, when Pyongyang sent one of its top officials, Choe Ryong-hae.
The reclusive leader rarely travels abroad, with his recent contact with world leaders limited to Putin, whom he's met twice since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He last visited Beijing in 2019 for an event marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the countries, also traveling by train.
This tradition of train travel was started by Kim's grandfather, Kim Il Sung, who took his own trips to Vietnam and Eastern Europe. Kim's father, Kim Jong Il, also traveled by train as he was reportedly afraid of flying. According to one South Korean news outlet, the armored train has around 90 carriages, including conference rooms, audience chambers, and bedrooms.
Tens of thousands of military personnel will march in formation through Beijing's historic Tiananmen Square on the day of the parade, marking the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. The 70-minute parade is likely to showcase China's latest weaponry, including hundreds of aircraft, tanks, and anti-drone systems, marking the first time its military's new force structure is being fully displayed in a parade.
Most Western leaders are not expected to attend due to their opposition to Russia's actions in Ukraine, but it will see leaders from Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Vietnam, furthering Beijing's efforts to strengthen ties with Southeast Asia. In contrast, only one EU leader will be attending - Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico - while Bulgaria and Hungary will send representatives.}
Kim left the North Korean capital on Monday evening onboard his armored train, which is said to include a restaurant car serving fine French wines and dishes like fresh lobster. The train's heavy protection means it travels slowly, and Kim's journey is expected to take up to 24 hours, according to South Korea's Yonhap agency.
Kim's attendance marks the first time a North Korean leader has attended a Chinese military parade since 1959. He will be among 26 other heads of states - including leaders from Myanmar, Iran, and Cuba - in attendance. His presence signifies an upgrade from China's last Victory Day parade in 2015, when Pyongyang sent one of its top officials, Choe Ryong-hae.
The reclusive leader rarely travels abroad, with his recent contact with world leaders limited to Putin, whom he's met twice since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He last visited Beijing in 2019 for an event marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the countries, also traveling by train.
This tradition of train travel was started by Kim's grandfather, Kim Il Sung, who took his own trips to Vietnam and Eastern Europe. Kim's father, Kim Jong Il, also traveled by train as he was reportedly afraid of flying. According to one South Korean news outlet, the armored train has around 90 carriages, including conference rooms, audience chambers, and bedrooms.
Tens of thousands of military personnel will march in formation through Beijing's historic Tiananmen Square on the day of the parade, marking the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. The 70-minute parade is likely to showcase China's latest weaponry, including hundreds of aircraft, tanks, and anti-drone systems, marking the first time its military's new force structure is being fully displayed in a parade.
Most Western leaders are not expected to attend due to their opposition to Russia's actions in Ukraine, but it will see leaders from Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Vietnam, furthering Beijing's efforts to strengthen ties with Southeast Asia. In contrast, only one EU leader will be attending - Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico - while Bulgaria and Hungary will send representatives.}
