foto: Saturn_Ecplise / Reddit / Public domain/Kim Jong-un’s armored train in Beijing, China
Kim Jong-un’s armored trains aren’t just vehicles; they’re symbols of power, propaganda, and paranoia. Equipped with luxury interiors, missile defense systems, and even a garage, these trains reveal the paradox of extravagance and fear that defines North Korea’s leadership.
The armored trains of North Korean leaders represent the pinnacle of security, veiled in secrecy, and have become a symbol of the Kim dynasty. These trains remain shrouded in mystery, as their technical specifications and interior images are closely guarded state secrets. Externally, the trains appear plain and slow, but their interiors reveal a world of modern technology and luxury, comparable to something out of a James Bond film.
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According to Reuters, North Korea’s leaders rely on this unique yet slower mode of transport. The bulletproof trains offer a safer and more comfortable environment for the dictator’s entourage, bodyguards, and staff while providing space for refreshments and political discussions. South Korean intelligence agencies have reportedly uncovered details of Kim’s travel style, as reported by Aktuálně.cz. Interestingly, when trying to determine whether Kim is on the move, they first check if the green train is stationed or not. The train never travels alone. It is always accompanied by two additional trains: one serves as a security scout train, while the third follows the leader’s train, carrying bodyguards and supplies.
From Embroidered Carpets to Mobile Garages
The tradition of armored trains began with Kim Il-sung, the founding leader of North Korea. While his train featured ornate carpets with floral patterns, Kim Jong-un’s train adopts a more minimalist design, with interiors resembling marble and accented by bright lighting. In 2018, footage revealed a spacious carriage with pink sofas during Kim’s meeting with top Chinese officials.
Kim’s train includes a dining car, guest car, and two private carriages for his exclusive use—an office and a bedroom. Additional carriages are reserved for security personnel, medical staff, and high-ranking North Korean officials.
According to Aktuálně.cz, one car functions as a mobile garage, accommodating two armored Mercedes-Maybach S600 Guard vehicles. Reports from Reuters indicate that the train is also equipped with anti-aircraft missiles, reinforced walls and floors to withstand explosions, and a cargo car containing a helicopter for emergency evacuations. It also features machine guns and other weaponry, limiting its top speed to just 60 km/h.
A Train Surrounded by Propaganda
South Korean intelligence estimates Kim Jong-un owns around six armored trains, with the number of carriages ranging from 10 to 15, sometimes reaching up to 90. Reuters notes that North Korea’s aging rail network restricts the train’s speed to 40 km/h. Kim primarily uses the train for trips to Russia and China, with a notable exception in 2019 when he traveled to Hanoi, Vietnam—a journey that took two and a half days.
Reuters also points out that these trains have become a propaganda tool, showcasing how the Kim family supposedly embarks on long journeys to connect with North Korea’s citizens.
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A Legacy of Rail Travel for North Korea’s Leaders
Access to these trains is reserved for Kim’s most trusted inner circle. A rare exception occurred in 2001 when Russian official Konstantin Pulikovsky joined Kim Jong-il on a journey to Moscow. Pulikovsky later revealed in a 2002 book that cases of Bordeaux and Beaujolais wine were brought aboard from Paris, along with live lobsters prepared fresh for meals.
Kim Il-sung, the dynasty’s founder, regularly traveled abroad by train throughout his rule until his death in 1994. In 1984, he undertook what is likely the longest rail journey in history, traveling through Moscow, the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Romania, and Bulgaria.
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Tragically, these luxurious trains have also witnessed sorrow. Kim Jong-il, Kim Jong-un’s father, died of a reported heart attack in 2011 aboard one of these trains during an "inspection trip." His train car is now on display in his mausoleum.
Source: RAILTARGET; Reuters; Aktuálně.cz