SEOUL, Sep 1 (Yonhap/APP): North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was expected to depart for China on Monday aboard his special armored train to attend a military parade in Beijing, with attention focusing on his first presence on the multilateral diplomatic stage and a possible three-way meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Kim may have to leave Pyongyang as early as Monday to arrive in Beijing by Tuesday, given the train’s travel time of about 20 to 24 hours, according to observers and government sources.
China is scheduled to hold a 70-minute military parade on Wednesday, showcasing its latest weaponry and troops marching in formation to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, which it commemorates as victory over Japan.
Kim is more widely expected to use his forest-green train rather than Chammae-1, the private plane Kim reportedly used for long-distance domestic trips in his early years in office, due to the aircraft’s old age.
Kim is expected to cross the North Korea-China border Monday night and stay at Beijing’s Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, where he lodged during three of his previous four visits to China.
Kim and Putin will be among state leaders from 26 foreign countries attending the military parade at Tiananmen Square on Wednesday, marking the reclusive North Korean leader’s first appearance on the multilateral diplomatic stage.