North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is famously known for his preference for a unique mode of travel: his slow-moving, green armoured train, popularly referred to as The Sun Train. Unlike many world leaders who rely on aircraft for swift travel, Kim has consistently chosen this heavily fortified train, citing reasons that go beyond mere convenience. His choice is rooted in concerns over security, a continuation of family tradition, and a taste for luxury. The train is not only safer than North Korea’s aging and poorly maintained Soviet-era aircraft but also doubles as a secure office and command centre on wheels. Remarkably, it even has space to carry Kim’s fleet of luxury limousines, underlining its dual role as both a protective fortress and a symbol of indulgence.
This preference for train travel echoes a long-standing family legacy. Kim’s father, Kim Jong-il, who was known to have a fear of flying, relied almost exclusively on trains for international travel. His journeys to China and Russia were often marathon affairs, with one trip to Moscow in 2001 stretching over 12,000 miles. Kim Jong-il once explained to Russian officials that traveling by train allowed him to witness landscapes, cities, and ordinary life along the route—something impossible to experience while flying. His father’s habits left a deep imprint on the dynasty, shaping Kim Jong Un’s approach to statecraft. However, unlike his father, the younger Kim does not suffer from aerophobia. He has occasionally flown short distances and even borrowed a Chinese Boeing 747 to travel to Singapore for his 2018 summit with Donald Trump. Nevertheless, when it comes to diplomatic missions to Russia or China, his allies, Kim, still shows a preference for continuing the family’s rail-based tradition.
The Sun Train, however, is far from ordinary. Reports from South Korean intelligence and various international observers describe it as a moving fortress. The train is reinforced with bulletproof plating, carries heavy weaponry, and is staffed with medical teams and an army of bodyguards. Its interiors are equipped with satellite communications, secure telephones, and even conference halls where Kim has been filmed chairing high-level meetings. In essence, the train functions as a government office on rails, capable of hosting Politburo sessions and command operations while in motion. However, this level of security and reinforcement comes at a cost: speed. The train can only manage a maximum of about 37 miles per hour, which means that journeys take significantly longer than air travel. For example, Kim’s trip to Hanoi in 2019 for his second summit with Donald Trump required nearly three full days of travel.
Luxury is another defining feature of Kim’s train journeys. His father, Kim Jong-il, was notorious for turning rail trips into extravagant feasts. Russian officials who once accompanied him recalled multi-course meals featuring cuisines from around the world, premium wines, and live entertainment. Though details of Kim Jong Un’s onboard lifestyle are less public, intelligence sources believe he has inherited his father’s fondness for fine dining and opulence. His train includes space to transport his bulletproof limousines, such as the Mercedes-Maybach S600 Pullman Guard and the Russian Aurus Senat gifted by Vladimir Putin. These features reinforce the image of the train not just as a vehicle but as a moving palace, tailored to Kim’s appetite for both security and indulgence.
Beyond its practical functions, the Sun Train also serves as a powerful symbol of North Korea’s dynastic continuity and Kim’s grip on power. On a recent trip to Beijing, Kim was seen accompanied by his daughter, Kim Ju-ae, whose presence at such events is seen as a subtle nod to her potential future role in leadership. The train, therefore, represents more than just a means of travel—it embodies the endurance of the Kim dynasty itself, linking three generations of rulers who have all relied on its protection and symbolism. Each time Kim emerges from the train’s drab-green carriages to greet foreign officials, the train itself becomes part of the spectacle, reinforcing his aura of control and resilience.
While most world leaders traverse continents in hours by jet, Kim Jong Un deliberately embraces a slower, more controlled, and deeply symbolic method of travel. With its combination of fortress-like security, traditional family symbolism, and luxurious indulgence, The Sun Train stands as his most trusted instrument of statecraft. To outside observers, it is more than just transportation—it is a moving palace, a command centre, and a visible emblem of North Korea’s isolation and its leader’s desire to project strength on the global stage.
