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The train journey from Pyongyang to Beijing is notable not only for security but also politically, highlighting the close geography and historical ties between the two countries
The journey crosses the Yalu River Valley and the high-altitude areas of Western Manchuria. (AP/File)
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has arrived in China aboard his renowned green bulletproof train to attend a military parade in Beijing. The parade commemorates the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and will be attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Kim Jong Un had previously travelled to Moscow to meet Vladimir Putin in 2023 using the same train, a legacy mode of transport also used by his father, Kim Jong Il, and grandfather, Kim Il-sung. The journey from Pyongyang to Beijing is significant not only for its political implications but also due to its geographical and historical context.
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A Slow But Secure Journey
Kim Jong Un’s train, consisting of over 20 coaches, is among the world’s slowest, travelling at just 45 kilometres per hour within North Korea, though it speeds up to 80 kilometres per hour once it enters China. The trip from Pyongyang to Beijing, starting from Pyongyang Railway Station, takes approximately 20 hours.
The train begins on North Korea’s Pyongui Line, connecting the capital to the northwestern border city of Sinuiju. From there, it crosses the Yalu River via the China-North Korea Friendship Bridge into the Chinese city of Dandong.
Scenic And Strategic Route
The train’s route, which passes through rivers and mountains, moves through China’s northeastern province of Liaoning, an area known for its hills, river valleys, and industrial cities. After Dandong, the train traverses major cities like Shenyang and slowly makes its way to Beijing, navigating the hilly terrain and industrial zones of Manchuria in northeastern China.
The route features 177 rail bridges and around five tunnels, including North Korea’s longest rail bridge, over 1,200 metres long. The journey crosses the Yalu River Valley and the high-altitude areas of Western Manchuria, regions sensitive from both natural and strategic perspectives.
A Moving Fortress
Kim Jong Un’s train is far from ordinary; it is a veritable moving fortress. The dark green train is fortified with bulletproof armour and equipped with modern communication systems, conference rooms, luxury suites, and extensive security measures. Typically, the train is divided into three sections: security check coaches at the front, Kim Jong Un’s coach in the middle, and luggage coaches at the rear.
This journey is significant not just for security reasons but also as a political statement. Travelling by train from Pyongyang to Beijing underscores the geographical proximity and historical friendship between North Korea and China.
China has long been a major supporter of North Korea, bolstering its economy amid US sanctions. Recently, Kim has also strengthened ties with Russia. US and South Korean officials allege that Pyongyang has supplied weapons and soldiers to Russia in its war against Ukraine. Kim Jong Un’s presence alongside Putin and Xi Jinping at the Beijing parade highlights the deepening relations between these three leaders.
- Location :
North Korea
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