How Kim Jon Un Travels (Secret Train)

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un prefers to travel in his secret train whenever he goes anywhere. This is no ordinary train — it is more like a moving fortress or even a five-star hotel on wheels. Although he rarely travels abroad, whenever he does, he makes sure there is no compromise in luxury or security.

The official name of this train is believed to be “Taeyang,” but around the world it is better known as the “Moving Fortress.” Many people even compare its facilities and security systems to Air Force One, the plane used by the U.S. president.

So what exactly makes Kim Jong Un’s train so special? Let’s look at its features one by one.

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Since becoming North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un has visited only a few countries, mostly China and Russia. Over the last 13 years, he has made only around 10 international trips, and most of them were done using this moving fortress.

Two separate trains escort the main train. One runs ahead to detect dangers on the tracks, such as explosives or suspicious activity. Although people are usually not allowed anywhere near the railway lines whenever Kim travels, commandos inside the lead train monitor every small detail carefully.

The second escort train follows behind and is filled with ammunition and military commandos. Their mission is simple: protect their supreme leader at all costs in case of any emergency.

In addition, fighter jets reportedly accompany the convoy while the train remains inside North Korean territory. If even these forces are not enough, cargo planes loaded with weapons and commandos are kept ready at nearby airports for immediate deployment.

The train itself is heavily armored. All windows are made from bulletproof glass, while the roof and lower body are reinforced with steel strong enough to withstand explosions.

Different compartments reportedly contain various defensive weapons, including anti-aircraft missile systems to protect against aerial attacks. Anti-tank missiles and machine guns are also said to be installed on both sides of the train to respond to attacks from the ground.

And even if all of these systems somehow fail, that still does not mean Kim Jong Un would die easily. One carriage reportedly carries a small helicopter that can be used for emergency escape if needed.

Because of all these advanced security systems, the train is extremely heavy. As a result, its top speed is only around 60 km/h, and often even slower because North Korea’s railway tracks are in poor condition.

Whenever the president’s train passes through a station, all station lights are turned off beforehand. Electricity on nearby tracks is also cut so that no other train can pass alongside it. Across North Korea, around 20 special railway stations have reportedly been built exclusively for Kim Jong Un’s train.

Due to its slow speed, journeys can take many days. In September 2023, Kim traveled to Russia to meet Vladimir Putin, and the trip reportedly took about 10 days.

At the border between North Korea and Russia, the train’s wheels must be changed because Russian railway tracks are wider than North Korean ones.

Inside, the train contains nearly every facility found in a president’s home and office. Kim has his own private office equipped with fax machines and satellite phones. There are reception rooms, meeting rooms, and luxury suites, while much of the interior is decorated with wooden flooring.

One of the train’s most famous features is its restaurant. Almost any kind of food can reportedly be prepared at Kim’s command, especially French, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese dishes.

There is also no chance of boredom during these journeys. Reports claim that singers and dancers travel aboard the train to personally entertain the leader.

If Kim needs to travel outside the train at any point, his personal armored vehicles are transported along with him. These vehicles can be unloaded quickly to move him safely under heavy security.

Many people wonder why Kim Jong Un prefers trains instead of airplanes. The reason is partly tradition. The Kim family has a long history of traveling by train on official trips.

In Kumsusan Palace of the Sun — where the preserved bodies of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il are displayed — models of their trains are also exhibited, along with maps showing the routes they traveled.

It is widely believed that Kim Jong Il feared air travel, which is why he preferred trains. In 2001, he famously traveled all the way to Moscow by train — a journey of nearly 20,000 kilometers that reportedly took about a month.

Much of what the world knows about this train comes from a Russian official named Konstantin Pulikovsky, who traveled with Kim Jong Il and later wrote a book describing the luxurious services and features onboard.

According to him, the train served extravagant meals including live lobsters and specially imported French wine.

In 2004, after Kim Jong Il’s train passed through Ryongchon Station near the Chinese border, a massive explosion occurred due to a fire on an oil cargo train caused by a short circuit. However, the Kim family reportedly feared it might have been a failed assassination attempt.

After that incident, security around the trains increased dramatically. By 2009, even Russian photographers were reportedly forbidden from taking pictures of the train while it traveled through Russian territory.

Even when the train passed through remote Siberian villages, electricity was reportedly shut off in nearby areas as an extra security precaution.

As for Kim Jong Un’s enemies, many believe he fears not only the Central Intelligence Agency and the United States, but also his own population.

North Korea is known for harsh punishments. People have reportedly been sent to labor camps for very minor reasons, such as possessing banned books or violating strict appearance rules. Because of this atmosphere of fear, many analysts believe the local population itself could pose a threat to the regime.

Kim Jong Un has also reportedly been seen with body doubles at public events. Experts believe these look-alikes are used to confuse potential attackers about which person is the real leader.

Some experts also think Kim’s use of trains is meant to project an image of simplicity compared to the luxury associated with Air Force One. In reality, however, Kim is believed to live a highly luxurious lifestyle.

Satellite images released in 2020 reportedly showed multiple mansions connected to private railway stations where the moving fortress was parked. Some of these estates included private beaches, shooting ranges, basketball courts, villas, and covered garages for luxury vehicles.

Another reason Kim may feel insecure is the political future of North Korea itself. The Kim family has ruled the country for decades under a hereditary dictatorship. Analysts often speculate about succession because Kim reportedly does not have a publicly confirmed male heir.

Although his sister Kim Yo Jong is considered one possible successor, some believe Kim worries that the military could eventually place someone else in power if anything happened to him.

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