SEOUL, Sep 1, Alliance News: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is expected to leave Pyongyang on Monday aboard his armored train to attend China’s upcoming military parade in Beijing, raising speculation over his first multilateral diplomatic appearance and a possible three-way meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Observers said Kim may depart as early as Monday to reach Beijing by Tuesday, given the train’s travel time of 20 to 24 hours.
The parade, scheduled for Wednesday in Tiananmen Square, will last about 70 minutes and feature China’s latest weaponry and troops marching to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, which Beijing commemorates as victory over Japan.
Kim is expected to use his forest-green armored train instead of Chammae-1, the aging private jet once used for domestic trips. He is also likely to stay at Beijing’s Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, where he lodged during previous visits.
Leaders from 26 foreign countries are set to attend the parade, making it Kim’s first appearance on the multilateral diplomatic stage. His potential meeting with Putin and Xi is drawing particular attention amid shifting regional and global dynamics.
