Key Facts
• Kim Jong Un to attend the ’80th Anniversary of Victory in the Anti-Japanese War’ in Beijing on September 3.
• Reports suggest Kim may travel by special train, with long transit times expected.
• Hotels in Dandong, near the China-North Korea border, restrict foreign guest bookings from August 30 to September 3.
• Kim’s father, Kim Jong Il, avoided air travel and used special trains for international visits.
• Kim Jong Un has used both a special train and his private plane, ‘Chammae-1,’ for past visits to China.
• ‘Chammae-1,’ an old Soviet-made aircraft, has safety and range limitations.
• In 2018, Kim used a Chinese-chartered plane for his Singapore summit with Donald Trump.
• Kim traveled over 65 hours by train for his 2019 Hanoi summit with Trump.
• In September 2023, Kim used a train for his visit to Russia’s Far East.
Summary
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is expected to attend a commemorative event in Beijing on September 3, marking the 80th anniversary of victory in the Anti-Japanese War. Reports indicate he may travel by special train, as hotels in Dandong, near the China-North Korea border, have restricted foreign guest bookings during this period. Kim’s travel methods have varied in the past, including the use of a special train and his private plane, ‘Chammae-1,’ though the latter has safety and range concerns. Notably, Kim has previously relied on a Chinese-chartered plane for international travel. His preference for trains mirrors his father, Kim Jong Il, who avoided air travel. Kim’s recent train journeys include a 65-hour trip to Hanoi in 2019 and a visit to Russia’s Far East in September 2023.
