[News in War History] The Armored Train Kim Jong-un Took to Russia: Why It Moves Slower Than a Local Train

Arrived in Pyongyang after 3 nights and 4 days covering 2300km
Armored trains that played a major role in WWI and WWII... Armed with cannons
Still active in Russia... North Korea's Taeyangho also a Soviet gift

On the 13th, North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, attracting global attention. Notably, during this visit to Russia, Chairman Kim traveled not by his private plane but by an armored train, which became a hot topic.

It is reported that the journey from Pyongyang to Vostochny, approximately 2,300 km away, took a slow speed of 50 km/h and lasted a full 3 nights and 4 days, drawing significant interest in this slow-moving armored train. The reason for its slowness is said to be due to its heavily reinforced exterior, equipped with various weapons, and luxuriously furnished interiors including offices and reception rooms, making the train extremely heavy.

On the 13th (local time), the Sun Train, the armored train of North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un, arrived at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia, showing Chairman Kim stepping off the train. Vostochny = Photo by Korean Central News Agency and Yonhap News Agency

In the 21st century, where maglev high-speed trains exceed speeds of 400 km/h, this armored train, slower than a local train, may seem very unfamiliar to us, but it is still used in actual warfare in some countries, mainly Russia. It is said to have been a formidable weapon from the 19th century through World Wars I and II. In this article, we will explore the history of this armored train as well as North Korea’s leader’s dedicated train, the Taeyang-ho, which served as Chairman Kim’s transportation during his Russia visit.

◆News: Kim Jong-un’s Armored Train Takes 3 Nights and 4 Days to Reach Vostochny

On the 13th (local time), North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un is seen inspecting the Vostochny Cosmodrome together with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Vostochny = TASS·Yonhap News Agency

According to the British BBC on the 16th (local time), the Taeyang-ho, North Korea’s armored train carrying Chairman Kim, arrived at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia on the 13th. The journey from Pyongyang, about 2,300 km away, took a full 3 nights and 4 days. The train moved at a very slow speed of less than 50 km/h, which explains the long travel time.

Considering that the typical speed of a local train is over 60 km/h and the average speed of major Seoul subways exceeds 70 km/h, this was indeed a very slow pace. In China, high-speed trains cover the approximately 2,700 km Beijing-Shanghai route in about 7 hours and 30 minutes, so North Korea’s armored train was essentially moving at a turtle’s pace.

This armored train has been promoted as having operated in North Korea for decades and is said to have been used by three generations of North Korean leaders, who regard it as very precious. The train consists of about 90 cars, with armored steel plates wrapped around the regular car bodies, making it very heavy. It is also believed to be armed with various cannons, missiles, and anti-aircraft guns.

Moreover, the train is luxuriously equipped with an office, reception room, bedroom, and dining room. It is literally called a moving fortress and palace, containing many functions. Consequently, it is much heavier than a regular train and has a top speed limited to 80 km/h.

In 2001, Konstantin Pulikovsky, a Russian military commander who accompanied former Chairman Kim Jong-il, described the luxury of the Taeyang-ho in his memoir "Orient Express." He marveled that "any cuisine from Russia, China, Korea, Japan, or France could be ordered" inside the train, and that "live lobsters were prepared for fresh feasts, and Bordeaux and Burgundy red wines were imported from France."

◆History 1: Armored Trains Became Prominent from the U.S. Civil War, Played Major Roles in World Wars I and II

A sketch of an armored train created during the American Civil War in 1861.

The history of armored trains is longer than one might think. It began with the commercialization of steam locomotives. Steam locomotives were first operated in 1825 by British inventor George Stephenson. However, at that time, mass production of steel was difficult, so most railroads were made of wrought iron, making the creation of heavy armored trains challenging.

The idea of armored trains became more serious in 1855 when mass steel production began. In 1861, with the outbreak of the U.S. Civil War, armored trains with iron plating on the exterior of steam locomotives appeared to protect against enemy bullets. From the 19th century through World War II, armored trains experienced their heyday.

The BP42 armored train operated by Nazi Germany in 1943.

During World Wars I and II, railroads were crucial for transporting military supplies and troops in large quantities. To defend against enemy attacks, fully armed armored trains equipped with cannons and anti-aircraft guns were operated by various countries. Even after the development of tanks, large armored trains with tank turrets mounted on them were deployed to the front lines. In particular, the Soviet Union operated armed trains with T-34 tank turrets or machine guns mounted on the roofs, which were widely used for offensive purposes.

During World War II, Nazi Germany, which invaded Poland, was greatly influenced by the unexpectedly strong resistance of Polish armored train units and operated a significant number of armored train units alongside tank units. The greatest advantage of these armored trains was that they were literally moving fortresses, capable of quickly moving along railroads to serve as powerful defensive positions.

◆History 2: Armored Trains Still Actively Used in Russia... North Korea’s Taeyang-ho Also a Soviet Gift

Armored train of the Russian military. [Image source=Getty Images]

After World War II, the use of armored trains declined as tanks became the central ground weapon, but armored trains continued to be used in areas where tank operation was difficult. Especially in Russia, which has vast territories from Europe to Siberia and the Far East, armored trains were frequently used in border conflicts.

After relations between China and the Soviet Union deteriorated sharply in 1962, border conflicts increased, and the Soviet Union began developing nuclear-capable armored trains. By 1987, near the end of the Cold War, armored trains capable of carrying intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) such as the SS-24 missile were developed. However, after the Cold War ended and a period of turmoil followed, armored train operations became difficult for a time. The concept of missile-launching armed trains recently revealed by North Korea originated from these Soviet armored trains.

The Taeyang-ho armored train currently used in North Korea is said to have originated from an armored train gifted by the Soviet Union to North Korea during the Joseph Stalin regime in the 1950s. Kim Jong-il, Chairman Kim’s father, frequently used the Taeyang-ho more than his private plane, making it a symbol of North Korea in foreign media.

However, after Putin’s administration took office and Russia’s political stability gradually improved, armored train operations became active again, centered on Russia. During the Second Chechen War in 2000, Russian armored trains were dispatched to combat zones in the Chechen Republic, and armored trains were also used in the 2008 war between Russia and Georgia.

After Russia forcibly annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in 2014, Russia and Ukraine competitively operated armored trains for frontline defense. Especially in Ukraine’s mostly flat terrain with few mountains, armored trains could be used as massive linear barriers, increasing their utility.

◆Implication: Kim Jong-un’s 'Giant Office' Shakes Northeast Asian Security Whenever It Moves

[Image source=Yonhap News]

North Korea’s armored train has now become a symbol that shakes the entire Northeast Asian security landscape. Chairman Kim’s recent visit to Russia attracted even more attention as it was his first overseas trip since the COVID-19 border closures. The choice of Russia, rather than China?the main country supporting North Korea? as the first destination has sparked numerous suspicions, causing turmoil in Northeast Asian affairs.

Chairman Kim’s visit to the Vostochny Cosmodrome and his talks with President Putin have also raised many suspicions. The two leaders did not disclose any details of their meeting or issue joint declarations, leading to speculation that various weapons and technology transactions violating UN sanctions on North Korea may have taken place.

In particular, Russia’s offer to help North Korea acquire satellite technology and to consider astronaut training if North Korea desires has raised concerns that North Korea’s rocket and reconnaissance satellite capabilities will be significantly enhanced. With so many suspicions surrounding North Korea’s armored train, it seems that every time it moves, it will attract worldwide attention.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.