Kim Jong Un Likely to Visit China by Special Train, Expected to Arrive in Beijing on the 2nd

Speculation Grows Over Kim Jong Un's Train Journey to Beijing
Special Train Likely to Depart Pyongyang on September 1
Foreign Reservations Restricted in Dandong Hotels Amid Visit Rumors

There are reports that Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, will depart for Beijing by train on September 1 to attend the 80th anniversary parade of China's Victory Day on September 3.

Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea. Photo by Yonhap News

According to multiple government sources on August 31, it is highly likely that Chairman Kim will depart from Pyongyang by special train on September 1. Since the train journey from Pyongyang to Beijing takes about 20 to 24 hours, he would need to leave on the 1st in order to arrive on the 2nd, the day before the Victory Day event.

Previously, Kim Jong Un visited China four times. During his first visit in March 2018 and his fourth visit in January 2019, he traveled by train. For his visits in May and June 2018, he used his private jet, "Chammae-1."

However, as there have been no recent indications of "Chammae-1" being used in recent years, the likelihood of him traveling by train has increased. Some analysts suggest that Kim Jong Un avoids using "Chammae-1" because it is outdated. The fact that hotels in Dandong, Liaoning Province, China, near the railway route, are restricting reservations for foreigners also supports the speculation that he will travel by train. These hotels also did not accept foreign reservations during Kim Jong Un's previous visits to China.

Additionally, train services departing from Dandong in the afternoon and arriving in Beijing the following morning have been suspended on September 1 and 2, which may be related to Kim Jong Un's visit to China. There is speculation that his special train could cross the border on the night of the 1st and head to Beijing.

It is highly likely that Kim Jong Un will stay at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, the official guesthouse of the Chinese government in downtown Beijing. During his previous three visits to Beijing, he also stayed at Diaoyutai.