Kim Jong-il's favorite method of travel is via rail. The most famous, perhaps, is his epic 24-day train journey to Russia in 2001. Media reports also suggest Kim Jong-il took his train to visit the Chinese city of Shenzen, a buzzing frontier town near Hong Kong known for its liberal economy and its wild nightlife, in 2006. The report seems to make sense given Kim's reported dislike for flying - apparently Kim developed a fear of flying after being in a helicopter crash in 1976 which seriously injured him.
Today, the South Korean news outlet Chosun Ilbo ran an article detailing Kim's special train, and thought many would find it an interesting read.
The article states "Kim has taken 129 on-the-spot guidance trips around North Korea, matching the record he set in 2005...", but the Kyodo World Service, a Japanese news service, reported on Friday, 06 Nov, Kim's reported activities since the beginning of the year has reached 131 as of Friday, breaking his 2005 record.
The Chosun Ilbo article follows:
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The Facts About Kim Jong-il's Private Train
[Photo: Chosun Ilbo Online, 9 November 2009]
The private train North Korean leader Kim Jong Il uses on his trips either within the communist country or abroad consists of six around 90 carriages, and some 20 train stations have been built specifically for his own use. To defend Kim against attack, two separate trains precede and follow the main entourage, one handling reconnaissance and the other security.
South Korean and U.S. intelligence have been spying on Kim's private train with satellites, U-2 reconnaissance aircraft and other surveillance equipment, as well as testimonies of North Korean defectors. Among private stations for Kim's train are the Pyongyang Yongsong and Kangdaedong stations. Others are in Wonsan, Shineuiju and Hyesan, which are no more than 30 km away from his private retreats.
When Kim travels, three separate trains operate in conjunction. The advance train handles security checks to see whether the rail tracks are safe. Behind Kim's train is another carrying his bodyguards and other support personnel. Kim's train travels at an average speed of 60 km/h. Around 100 security agents are sent ahead of time to stations and sweep the area for bombs. Before Kim's train nears the station, the power on other tracks is shut off so that no other trains can move.
Kim's train is armored and also contains conference rooms, an audience chamber and bedrooms. Satellite phone connections and flat screen TVs have been installed so that the North Korean leader can be briefed and issue orders.
Sources say when Kim gets out of his train and moves to his private retreat, he is driven in a Mercedes or other car that has been brought along. When Kim travels within North Korea aboard his private train, IL-76 air force transport planes, MI-17 helicopters and other aircraft provide security support and haul necessary personnel and equipment to nearby airports. So far, Kim has taken 129 on-the-spot guidance trips around North Korea, matching the record he set in 2005 and probably exceeding it by the end of the year.
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