"Russia Cannot Be Assured Either"…Kim Jong-un Insists on Sleeping in Dedicated Train

Considering Travel Distance and Security, 'Train Accommodation' Assumed

Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, is continuing his visit to Russia following a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with reports indicating that he has been sleeping exclusively on his private train. This train, known as the "armored train" that he boarded in North Korea, is equipped with various weapons as well as luxurious interior facilities such as offices and reception rooms.

According to local Russian officials on the 17th (local time), Kim arrived in the Russian Far East's Primorsky Krai the previous day and visited Vladivostok before reportedly sleeping on his private train. Considering Kim's itinerary during this visit to Russia, local observers believe that he has been staying exclusively on the private train, which is equipped with thorough security and protection measures, since entering Russia.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arriving at Hasan Station near the Russian border
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kim's private train runs very slowly due to the heavy "armor" installed for security purposes. For this visit to Russia, it traveled from Pyongyang to Vostochny, approximately 2,300 km away, at a slow speed of 50-60 km/h, taking 3 nights and 4 days.

Meeting President Putin for the first time in 4 years and 5 months, Kim took the "slow" private train once again on the day of the summit's conclusion to inspect the Far Eastern city, traveling 1,180 km east to the industrial city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur in Khabarovsk Krai. Two days later, on the 15th, after touring the city's aircraft factory, he headed straight back to Primorsky Krai.

His private train arrived at Artum-1 Station, about 1,130 km south of Komsomolsk-on-Amur, on the morning of the 16th. Afterwards, Kim transferred to a limousine loaded on the train and visited a nearby military airfield and the Pacific Fleet located in Vladivostok, 45 km to the south, to inspect Russian naval and air force capabilities.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrives in Vladivostok, Russia
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Previously, in April 2019, when Kim visited Vladivostok for his first summit with President Putin, he stayed at facilities within the Far Eastern Federal University, the venue of the summit. A local official said, "Considering Kim Jong-un's travel distances and itinerary, it seems he has not stayed at external facilities," adding, "This likely reflects Kim's particular concern for security and protection."

Kim is scheduled to discuss cooperation in tourism, culture, and other fields with Oleg Kozhemyako, Governor of Primorsky Krai, on this day. He is also expected to tour food production factories in the Primorsky region. He is likely to return home on the afternoon of the 17th after completing his schedule or on the following day, the 18th.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.