Kim Jong-un Arrives in Beijing Aboard Iconic Green Armored Train for Military Parade

On September 2, 2025, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrived in Beijing, China, aboard his signature green armored train to attend a grand military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and China’s victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The event, held on September 3, 2025, at Tiananmen Square, was a significant diplomatic and military showcase for China, hosted by President Xi Jinping.

Kim’s attendance, alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and other global leaders, underscored the geopolitical significance of the occasion, as it brought together leaders of nations often at odds with the Western-led international order. Accompanied by his daughter, Kim Ju-ae, Kim’s visit marked his first trip to China since 2019 and his debut at a major multilateral event, signaling a strategic move to bolster ties with China while maintaining North Korea’s delicate balance between Beijing and Moscow.

A Symbolic Journey on the Armored Train

Kim Jong-un’s arrival in Beijing was steeped in historical and symbolic significance, as he traveled aboard the iconic green armored train that has been a hallmark of North Korean leadership for decades. The bulletproof train, often referred to as “The Sun” in North Korean state media, is a family heirloom used by Kim’s grandfather, Kim Il-sung, and father, Kim Jong-il, for international and domestic travel.

The train, comprising approximately 90 carriages, is equipped with luxurious amenities, including conference rooms, audience chambers, bedrooms, and a restaurant serving fine French wines and dishes like fresh lobster. Its heavy armor and specialized design, however, limit its speed to approximately 37 miles per hour, making the journey from Pyongyang to Beijing a 20-hour endeavor that began on Monday, September 1, 2025.

The choice of the train over air travel reflects both tradition and security concerns. While Kim has occasionally flown, such as to Singapore in 2018 for a summit with then-U.S. President Donald Trump, he prefers the train for its safety and capacity to accommodate his large entourage, security detail, and even his bulletproof limousine.

North Korea’s aging fleet of passenger aircraft pales in comparison to the train’s fortified comfort, which includes wall-mounted lighting and reddish-pink leather armchairs, as described by state media. The journey also allowed Kim to make a strategic stop at a North Korean missile research institute to review progress on a new engine for a next-generation intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), signaling his focus on military advancements even during diplomatic engagements.

Kim Jong Un arrives in Beijing for Victory Day celebration

Guard of honor welcomes armored train in first visit to China in 6 years pic.twitter.com/roFF813jU8

— Ignorance, the root and stem of all evil (@ivan_8848) September 2, 2025

Kim’s decision to travel by train mirrors the preferences of his predecessors, particularly his father, Kim Jong-il, who reportedly feared flying. The train has been a fixture in North Korean propaganda, symbolizing the regime’s self-reliance and resilience. Its use for this trip reinforced Kim’s adherence to family tradition while projecting an image of strength and continuity to both domestic and international audiences. Upon arrival at Beijing Railway Station, Kim and his daughter were greeted by senior Chinese officials, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Cai Qi, a member of the Politburo Standing Committee, highlighting the importance China placed on the visit.

A Diplomatic Stage for Geopolitical Solidarity

The military parade on September 3, 2025, was a meticulously choreographed display of China’s military prowess and diplomatic influence, with Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin standing alongside Xi Jinping in a powerful visual of unity among leaders of nations challenging the U.S.-led global order.

The 70-minute event featured over 10,000 troops, more than 100 aircraft, and advanced weaponry, including hypersonic missiles, laser weapons, submarine drones, and the DF-5C intercontinental strategic nuclear missile. The parade, which culminated in the release of 80,000 doves and balloons, was designed to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II while projecting China’s modern military capabilities and its vision for a Beijing-led world order.

Read : Kim Jong Un Pays Tribute to North Korean Soldiers Killed Fighting for Russia in Ukraine

Kim’s presence at the parade, his first at a multilateral international event, marked a significant departure from his typically reclusive foreign policy. Historically, North Korean leaders have rarely attended such gatherings, with Pyongyang sending a senior official, Choe Ryong-hae, to China’s last Victory Day parade in 2015.

Kim’s participation alongside 26 other heads of state, including leaders from Iran, Myanmar, and Southeast Asian nations like Indonesia and Malaysia, underscored China’s growing influence in the Global South and its ability to convene leaders from sanctioned or authoritarian regimes. Notably absent were major Western leaders, who boycotted the event due to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and China’s neutral stance on the conflict.

The parade provided Kim with a rare opportunity to strengthen ties with China, North Korea’s largest trading partner, which accounts for approximately 98% of its external trade. Relations between Pyongyang and Beijing have been strained in recent years due to North Korea’s deepening military and economic ties with Russia, including the supply of artillery and troops for Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Analysts suggest that Kim’s visit was partly motivated by a desire to mend these ties, particularly as the potential end of the Ukraine conflict could reduce North Korea’s leverage with Russia. During the parade, Kim and Putin held a two-and-a-half-hour bilateral meeting, where Kim reaffirmed his “fraternal duty” to support Russia, while Putin invited him for a future visit to Moscow, indicating continued cooperation between the two nations.

The event also highlighted Kim’s strategic balancing act between Beijing and Moscow. By attending the parade, Kim signaled his intent to maintain strong relations with both powers without becoming overly reliant on either. This approach aligns with North Korea’s long-standing foreign policy of leveraging its relationships with China and Russia to secure economic and military support while advancing its nuclear and missile programs, which remain a point of contention with the international community.

Kim Ju-ae’s International Debut and Succession Speculation

One of the most intriguing aspects of Kim Jong-un’s visit was the presence of his daughter, Kim Ju-ae, believed to be approximately 12 years old, who accompanied him to Beijing. Her appearance at such a high-profile international event, captured in photographs released by North Korea’s state news agency, KCNA, fueled speculation about her role as a potential successor.

South Korea’s National Intelligence Service has previously identified Kim Ju-ae as Kim’s “most likely” heir, a notion reinforced by her frequent appearances at military parades, weapons tests, and other significant events in North Korea since late 2022. This trip marked her first known international outing, a significant step in introducing her to the global stage. Kim Ju-ae’s presence in Beijing was carefully orchestrated, with images showing her standing close to her father as he was greeted by Chinese officials.

North Korean state media referred to her as Kim’s “dear daughter,” a title that underscores her prominence within the regime’s propaganda. Unlike her siblings, including an older brother, Kim Ju-ae is the only one of Kim’s children to appear publicly, suggesting she is being groomed for a future leadership role. Analysts, such as Cheong Seong-chang of the Sejong Institute in Seoul, argue that Kim’s decision to bring her to Beijing was a deliberate move to provide her with early exposure to diplomatic engagements, preparing her for potential leadership responsibilities.

The question of succession in North Korea remains opaque, given the regime’s secretive nature. Kim Jong-un himself was not publicly confirmed as his father’s successor until Kim Jong-il’s stroke in 2008, despite being designated earlier. Kim Ju-ae’s high-profile appearances, however, suggest a more open approach to succession planning, possibly to ensure stability in the event of Kim’s incapacitation, given his reported health issues. Her presence at the parade, where she stood alongside world leaders, sent a clear message about her potential role in North Korea’s future, even as the regime continues to prioritize its military and nuclear ambitions.

The Beijing visit also highlighted the broader geopolitical context, with Kim leveraging the event to enhance his international standing. The parade’s timing, amid heightened U.S.-China tensions and ongoing trade negotiations with the Trump administration, allowed Xi Jinping to position China as a counterweight to Western influence.

Kim’s participation, alongside Putin and other leaders, reinforced this narrative, presenting a united front against Western sanctions and diplomatic isolation. For Kim, the trip was an opportunity to project strength, secure economic support from China, and elevate his daughter’s profile, all while navigating the complex dynamics of North Korea’s alliances with China and Russia.

In conclusion, Kim Jong-un’s arrival in Beijing aboard his iconic green armored train was a multifaceted event with significant diplomatic, military, and dynastic implications. The military parade provided a platform for China to showcase its global influence and for Kim to reaffirm his ties with Beijing while balancing relations with Moscow.

The presence of Kim Ju-ae added a layer of intrigue, signaling North Korea’s focus on ensuring the continuity of the Kim dynasty. As the world watches North Korea’s evolving role on the international stage, this visit underscored the delicate interplay of tradition, power, and ambition in one of the world’s most secretive regimes.