Kim Jong Un’s Train Journey to China Reveals a Regime Clinging to Obsolete Symbols While Seeking Global Influence

Kim Jong Un’s recent trip to China aboard his signature green armored train is more than a nostalgic nod to Cold War theatrics. It reveals a regime desperate to project strength and relevance in an increasingly volatile international arena—while stubbornly clinging to outdated methods that highlight its systemic weaknesses. Why Does Kim Rely on an Aging Train in the 21st Century? While world leaders jet across continents on modern aircraft, the North Korean dictator persists with his slow, heavily fortified train, limiting him to a crawl of about 37 mph. This relic—once favored by his father Kim Jong Il and...