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| ▲ In this photo taken Sept. 2, 2025, a dark green train, believed to be that of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, passes near Beijing Railway Station. (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ In this photo taken Sept. 2, 2025, a dark green train, believed to be that of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, passes near Beijing Railway Station. (Yonhap) |
(5th LD) NK leader-China
(5th LD) Train presumed carrying N. Korea's Kim arrives at Beijing rail station
(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with new info, photo)
By Park Boram
BEIJING/SEOUL, Sept. 2 (Yonhap) -- A train presumed to be carrying North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrived in Beijing on Tuesday as he is set to appear at China's upcoming military parade, which will be attended by dozens of state leaders, setting the stage for his multilateral diplomatic debut.
The train was confirmed to have reached near Beijing Railway Station at around 4 p.m. (local time), nearly a day after departing Pyongyang, accompanied by Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui and other officials.
Kim will stand "side by side" with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at Wednesday's military parade, Seoul's spy agency said. It also predicted that Kim may hold separate summits with both leaders on the sidelines.
This marks Kim's fifth visit to China since assuming power in late 2011.
Russia's Tass news agency also reported Tuesday that Kim and Putin could hold a summit in China, citing the Kremlin.
Russia may discuss the possibility of a Kim-Putin summit once Kim arrives in Beijing, a Kremlin spokesperson said.
Kim and Putin will be among dozens of foreign leaders attending Wednesday's military parade presided over by Xi at Tiananmen Square to celebrate the 80th anniversary of "victory" over Japan's surrender and the end of World War II.
Russian reports have said Kim will be seated to Xi's left, with Putin on his right. The three leaders, appearing shoulder to shoulder, would send a strong signal to the world about their strengthening trilateral solidarity.
"Kim will demonstrate trilateral solidarity by standing side by side with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin during Wednesday's military parade at Tiananmen Square," Seoul's National Intelligence Service assessed earlier in the day.
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