Photos showed him stepping off the train alongside his daughter, who South Korea’s spy agency has described as his “most likely” successor, reports the BBC.
China’s state-run media reported that Kim was greeted by senior Communist Party officials, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi. North Korea’s Central News Agency said they met in a “warm atmosphere” and that Kim expressed thanks to Chinese President Xi Jinping for the “enthusiastic and cordial hospitality.”
Xi will host the “Victory Day” parade on Wednesday in Tiananmen Square, where tens of thousands of Chinese troops will march and showcase the country’s newest weapons, including anti-drone systems, tanks, and hundreds of aircraft. The 70-minute event will be attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kim, and 26 other heads of state.
Kim’s attendance marks the first time a North Korean leader has joined a Chinese military parade since 1959. In contrast, Pyongyang sent senior official Choe Ryong-hae to the 2015 parade. Kim last visited Beijing in 2019 for an event marking 70 years of diplomatic relations between China and North Korea.
Kim’s travel by armored train continues a family tradition. His grandfather, Kim Il Sung, used a similar train for trips to Vietnam and Eastern Europe, while his father, Kim Jong Il, famously avoided flying and traveled overland.
Reports from South Korea describe the train as having about 90 carriages with conference rooms, bedrooms, and a restaurant serving fine French wines and lobster.
Kim Ju Ae, who has appeared frequently with her father since her public debut in November 2022, has fueled speculation about succession in the isolated state. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service has estimated her age to be around 10 years old.
Western leaders are not expected at the Beijing parade due to opposition to Russia’s war in Ukraine. However, leaders from Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Iran, Cuba, and other nations will attend. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico will be the sole EU head of government present, while Hungary and Bulgaria are sending representatives.
