When most people think of luxury travel, they picture private jets or gleaming superyachts. But for Kim Jong Un, the ultimate way to travel isn’t in the sky or at sea—it’s on rails. His armored train has become legendary, a blend of palace, bunker, and power symbol. Hidden in mystery, it offers a rare glimpse into how North Korea’s leader moves across the world. Here are five of the most intriguing secrets about this rolling fortress.
5. A Symbol of Dynasty and Power
Kim’s train is not merely a means of transport—it’s a family legacy and testament to the Kim dynasty’s hold on power. The saga started with Kim Il Sung, who was the first to adopt train travel as a ruler. His son, Kim Jong Il, elevated it further, traveling thousands of miles by rail instead of by air.
Kim Jong Un today follows suit, transforming the train into not only a political instrument but also a beacon to show that his dynasty will reign for generations. The train in North Korean propaganda is featured as an aura of visits, inspections, and meetings, supporting the perception of uninterrupted leadership.
4. A Fortress on Wheels
This is no normal train. Each of the carriages is loaded with armor plating, so they are much heavier than usual passenger trains. On each journey, the train typically moves in a convoy: a forward train inspects the tracks, the main train transports the leader, and a third brings up bodyguards and equipment.
Security squads sweep each section of the track and station before Kim even boards. The train also transports arms and has a standby helicopter in case of emergencies. While it’s in motion, other railway traffic is halted—Kim owns the tracks.
3. A Luxury Hotel on Wheels
Inside, the contrast between life within North Korea and life outside its borders could not be more stark. The decor is equipped with leather armchairs, polished timber, and conference rooms that resemble executive suites. Private bedrooms, offices, and dining cars give the train the ambiance of a rolling five-star hotel.
Dinners are sumptuous, with dishes from various cuisines and expensive wines presented at the table. Guests have reported nights of music and performances that add a dimension of comfort as well as entertainment to the trip. The train is a home and an office to the leader.
2. A Mobile Nerve Center
Aside from the luxury, the train also functions as a command center. It has secure communications, satellite uplinks, and the equipment to keep Kim in touch with his government at all times. It is also a platform for diplomacy. World leaders have received him on board or greeted him as he disembarked, so the train has become part of North Korea’s political spectacle. Traveling in this manner drives home one point: Kim does it on his own terms, in his own stronghold.
1. The World’s Slowest But Most Exclusive Train
Despite all its cachet, the train is not exactly speedy. With armor plating and a leaden construction, it lumbers along at just under 40 mph. Flights that would last only a few hours take all day by train. Traveling to another nation may take even longer because technical modifications need to be made on the tracks.
Information regarding its design, timetable, and configuration is closely kept, which contributes to the mystique. Only a handful of foreigners have ever laid eyes on its interior, and thus it is one of the most clandestine and elite rides on the planet.
Kim Jong Un’s armored train travels slowly, but in the realm of power and politics, it is saying a lot. It’s not transportation—it’s a symbol, a protective shield, and a statement that is half luxury and half control, drawing on history.
