Beijing: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has arrived in Beijing aboard his bullet-proof green train to attend China’s Victory Day military parade, marking his first participation in a multilateral diplomatic event since assuming power 14 years ago.
The train, adorned with North Korean flags, was spotted entering the Chinese capital after a nearly 20-hour journey from Pyongyang. Witnesses also observed a motorcade bearing North Korean insignia leaving the station, signaling Kim’s arrival. The North Korean leader’s reliance on his fortified train continues a tradition established by his father and grandfather, who favored the secure but slow-moving mode of transport over air travel.
Kim’s presence in Beijing underscores North Korea’s growing alignment with China and Russia at a time of heightened global tensions. He is scheduled to attend the military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II, where he will stand alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and other international dignitaries.
Before his departure, Kim visited a missile research facility in Pyongyang, where he reviewed developments in carbon fiber composite materials used in intercontinental ballistic missile engines. The move was seen as a pointed reminder of North Korea’s continued nuclear ambitions.
North Korean state media declared support for Xi Jinping’s vision of a fairer and more balanced international order, aligning with Beijing’s calls to reshape global governance away from Western dominance. Analysts suggest the gathering of Kim, Xi, and Putin in Beijing symbolizes a tightening axis of powers challenging U.S. influence, particularly against the backdrop of Russia’s war in Ukraine and North Korea’s deepening military cooperation with Moscow.
Though speculation persists over potential bilateral meetings between the three leaders, no official confirmation has been made. Regional observers, including South Korean intelligence agencies, are closely monitoring the visit for signs of new strategic cooperation.
Elsewhere in the region, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te responded to the parade by warning that military aggression “will inevitably fail,” highlighting concerns among neighboring states about the growing assertiveness of China, Russia, and North Korea.
Kim’s attendance at the Beijing parade not only amplifies his country’s diplomatic profile but also signals the consolidation of a power bloc aimed at reshaping the international order. The event is expected to be one of the most significant public displays of military and political unity among China, Russia, and North Korea in recent years.