The train has once again proven to be the North Korean leadership's favored mode of transportation when conducting major bilateral summits. Kim Jong Un's rail journey to Beijing has drawn parallels with his father's visit to Russia in 2011, when Kim Jong Il traveled to Ulan-Ude to meet then-President Dmitry Medvedev.
Kim Jong Un's adoption of his father's preferred method of transport is not simply a continuity of Kim Jong Il's personal taste. Kim's destination also underscores Beijing's continued prime of place in North Korea's external relationships.
The train has once again proven to be the North Korean leadership's favored mode of transportation when conducting major bilateral summits. Kim Jong Un's rail journey to Beijing has drawn parallels with his father's visit to Russia in 2011, when Kim Jong Il traveled to Ulan-Ude to meet then-President Dmitry Medvedev.
Kim Jong Un's adoption of his father's preferred method of transport is not simply a continuity of Kim Jong Il's personal taste. Kim's destination also underscores Beijing's continued prime of place in North Korea's external relationships.
Try unlimited access
Only $1 for four weeks
-
Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations,
analysis
-
Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period
-
The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in
the loop
-
Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns
-
Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting
Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting,
investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts.
Subscribe
now
All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time.
SHARE
COPY LINK
X
MASTODON
