What is inside Kim Jong-un's special luxurious train? You will be stunned to know; here are details
Kim Jong-un travels in his luxurious bulletproof train for a rare meeting with President Putin of Russia.
By The Feed | Updated:
AP
This Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, photo provided by the North Korean government, shows that North Korea leader Kim Jong Un waves from a train in Pyongyang, North Korea, as he leaves for Russia. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un embarked on a rare journey to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He arrived in Russia aboard a distinctive bulletproof train known for its opulence. Kim left Pyongyang on Sunday accompanied by top military, government and Communist party officials.
Taeyangho: The Luxurious Bulletproof Train
Kim's train, aptly named 'Taeyangho,' which translates to 'sun' in Korean, is a symbol harkening back to North Korea's founder, Kim Il Sung. However, what makes this train truly remarkable is its luxurious interior.
Slow and Secure Travel
While 'Taeyangho' is a marvel in luxury, it's far from the fastest mode of transportation. The train cruises at a leisurely 50 km/h, a stark contrast to high-speed rail systems like London's, which run at 200 km/h, or Japan's Shinkansen bullet trains, reaching speeds of 320 km/h. Kim's journey to Russia took over 20 hours, covering approximately 1,180 km.
This Sept. 10, 2023 photo provided by the North Korean government shows that North Korea leader Kim Jong Un waves from a train in Pyongyang, North Korea, as he leaves for Russia. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. AP/PTI(
A Grand Departure
Kim Jong-un, accompanied by high-ranking officials from North Korea's ruling party and armed forces, departed Pyongyang on Sunday afternoon, according to North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
Arrival in Russia
The train crossed into Russia, reaching the border city of Khasan on Tuesday, en route to the Far Eastern city of Ussuriysk. FILE - In this photo released by Press office of the administration of Primorsky Krai region, North Korea's security officers wait for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un near the train as he leaves Russia, at the main train station in Vladivostok, Russia, on April 26, 2019. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s possible trip to Russia might be like his first one in 2019, a rattling, 20-hour ride aboard a green-and-yellow armored train that is a quirky symbol of his family’s dynastic leadership. (Alexander Safronov/Press Office of the Primorye Territory Administration via AP, File)
A Tradition of Opulent Travel
The tradition of traveling via train for long-distance trips was initiated by Kim Jong-un's grandfather, Kim Il Sung. His locomotive journeys took him to destinations such as Vietnam and Eastern Europe.
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Kim Jong-un's Lavish Trains: A Luxurious Journey
Exquisite Interior
North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, is renowned for his extravagant train journeys. These trains, consisting of 10 to 15 carriages each, offer a fascinating blend of opulence and functionality.
Reserved Carriages
Among the carriages, some are exclusively reserved for the leader's use. These include a comfortable bedroom for rest. Others accommodate security personnel and medical staff, ensuring the safety of the journey. A green train with yellow trimmings, resembling one used by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on his previous travels, is seen steaming by a slogan which reads "Towards a new victory" on the North Korea border with Russia and China seen from China's Yiyanwang Three Kingdoms viewing platform in Fangchuan in northeastern China's Jilin province on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. Russia and North Korea confirmed Monday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will visit Russia in a highly anticipated meeting with President Vladimir Putin that has sparked Western concerns about a potential arms deal for Moscow's war in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Stunning Visuals
In 2018, a video showcased Kim Jong-un meeting top Chinese officials in an elegant train car adorned with pink couches. The carriage also featured an office space equipped with a desk, chair, and a map displaying China and the Korean peninsula.
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Luxury and Style
In 2020, state TV footage provided a glimpse of Kim Jong-un's train as he visited a typhoon-affected area. The carriage was adorned with flower-shaped lighting and zebra-printed fabric chairs, combining luxury and style.
Security and Comfort
These luxurious trains are heavily guarded, with security agents continuously scanning routes and upcoming stations for potential threats. Not only are they safe, but they also offer extravagant comforts. FILE- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un waves at the Dong Dang railway station in Dong Dang, Vietnam, on March 2, 2019. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s possible trip to Russia might be like his first one in 2019, a rattling, 20-hour ride aboard a green-and-yellow armored train that is a quirky symbol of his family’s dynastic leadership. (AP Photo/Minh Hoang, File)
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A Culinary Extravaganza
Live lobsters, dishes from Russian, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and French cuisine, and cases of red wine from Bordeaux and Burgundy are just some of the culinary extravagances found aboard. Performers and singers entertain guests during the journey.
Connectivity and Transformation
The train's carriages were interconnected and equipped with a satellite communication system, reflecting both connectivity and transformation.
Changing Wheels for Diplomacy
Notably, the train's wheels must be changed when entering Russia or a North Korean station near the Russian border due to differences in rail gauges. FILE- A train carrying North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrives for a planned meeting with President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok, Russia, on April 24, 2019. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s possible trip to Russia might be like his first one in 2019, a rattling, 20-hour ride aboard a green-and-yellow armored train that is a quirky symbol of his family’s dynastic leadership. (AP Photo/Alexander Khitrov, File)
State Propaganda and Connectivity
Kim Jong-un's train has become emblematic of North Korean state propaganda. It symbolizes the ruling Kim family's commitment to engaging with ordinary citizens through extensive train journeys.
Kim Jong Il's Ill-fated Journey
Kim Jong-un's train follows in the footsteps of his father, Kim Jong Il, who undertook a remarkable rail journey to Russia in 2001. This train boasted a residential carriage, a headquarters carriage, a restaurant, and even several car transportation carriages housing armored Mercedes.
Kim Jong-un's father, Kim Jong Il, undertook a similar train journey to Moscow in 2001 for a meeting with Putin. Tragically, he passed away due to a heart attack during this trip. FILE - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, arrives at the main train station to leave Russia in Vladivostok, Russia, on April 26, 2019. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s possible trip to Russia might be like his first one in 2019, a rattling, 20-hour ride aboard a green-and-yellow armored train that is a quirky symbol of his family’s dynastic leadership. (AP Photo/Alexander Khitrov, File)
An Insight into Leadership
Through these journeys, the North Korean leadership seeks to connect with its people and convey messages of prosperity and hope. State television has shown Kim Jong-un inspecting crops and engaging in discussions, offering a unique insight into his leadership.
Kim Jong-un's luxurious trains, with their captivating blend of extravagance and practicality, continue to be an intriguing facet of North Korean diplomacy and state imagery. The luxurious train exemplifies the extravagance associated with North Korea's leadership, combining security and opulence in a unique mode of travel.
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