North Korea's reclusive dictator 'has six luxurious armoured trains'
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il – known for shunning air travel – has six luxurious trains equipped with reception halls, conference rooms and hi-tech communication facilities, a South Korean newspaper reported yesterday.
There are 19 stations across North Korea exclusively for Mr Kim's trains, which have a total of some 90 carriages, the Chosun Ilbo newspaper said, citing an analysis by South Korean and US intelligence authorities.
Mr Kim reportedly uses the trains when he makes inspection visits to army units and factories or travels abroad. His train travels with two others: one runs ahead to check the safety of railway lines, while the second carries security agents and follows behind. Mr Kim's train usually travels at 37mph (60kph), the newspaper said.
Chosun Ilbo said the intelligence on the fleet of trains was obtained by spy satellites and reconnaissance planes and the testimonies of defectors. The National Intelligence Service – South Korea's main spy agency – and the US military command in Seoul said they couldn't confirm the report.
Each train is armoured. The paper quoted an unidentified source as saying that security measures on the trains were boosted after a train explosion in 2004 that killed about 160 and injured some 1,300. The blast in the town of Ryongchon near the border with China was believed to be on a train laden with oil and chemicals that hit power lines. But the explosion occurred hours after Mr Kim reportedly passed through the station after a visit to China, sparking speculation that it might have been an assassination attempt.
The reclusive Mr Kim rarely travels abroad – and only under tight security, and avoiding planes. He last visited China in 2006, though state media recently reported that the Chinese President, Hu Jintao, has invited him to visit again. It is not clear when or even if the 67-year-old Mr Kim, who reportedly suffered a stroke last year, will accept the invitation.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments