'Sun Train' intended to project control, steeped in symbolism
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s arrival in China for a Victory Day celebration has drawn attention — not just for the visit itself, but for his choice of transport: an armored train.
The trip from Pyongyang to Beijing took more than 20 hours — a pace further slowed by the security-heavy nature of Kim's personal armored convoy. A direct flight, on the other hand, would have taken about two hours.
The train, known as Taeyang-ho or"Sun Train," is designed less for speed than for symbolism and control. It reportedly moves at an average speed of around 60 kilometers per hour — a deliberate pace shaped by its armored weight and onboard systems.
Still, the train offers distinct advantages: Its slow, unbroken movement projects an image of steady leadership and calculated intent.
Though much of its interior remains classified, previous reports suggest the sealed carriages are fitted with living quarters, offices and satellite communications systems that allow real-time contact with Pyongyang.
One of the carriages even carries armored Mercedes vehicles for ground transport upon arrival.
Combined, these features turn the train into a rolling command center, offering privacy, security and uninterrupted leadership — advantages few aircraft can provide.
Kim’s reliance on the train has been a consistent pattern.
The North Korean leader has used Taeyang-ho to attend multiple summits already, including visits to Dalian and Beijing in 2018 and 2019, as well as for his cross-China journey to the Hanoi summit in Vietnam with then-US President Donald Trump in 2019.
The symbolism is also generational.
Kim’s father, Kim Jong-il, famously avoided flying and died aboard a train. His grandfather, Kim Il-sung, likewise viewed rail travel as a secure and sovereign platform for leadership.
Nam Sung-wook, a professor of North Korean studies at Korea University, says Kim’s decision to take the train signals how seriously he views the meeting with Chinese and Russian leaders.
"This is the first time the leaders of North Korea, China and Russia are all coming together in one place (in 66 years). That makes this visit more sensitive, and the performance aspect more important," Nam said.
"Traveling overland also puts China in a position where it’s more involved in the entire journey — as if Kim is asking, ‘I’m making this careful trip; I expect you to pay attention to it.’"
Nam also noted that Kim’s use of the train reflects deeper fears and strategic calculations shared by other socialist regimes.
"There’s a deep-seated fear among socialist leaders when it comes to flying," he said."Lin Biao — Mao Zedong’s designated successor — died in a plane crash while fleeing after a failed coup attempt. Incidents like that have left a lasting impression and shaped a culture of caution."
"Not to mention optics. North Korea’s aircraft fleet is visibly outdated. Arriving at a modern airport like Beijing Capital beside sleek Chinese jets would highlight the technological gap — and that could be embarrassing for Pyongyang," Nam added.
