Special train arrival amid VIP security in Beijing raises speculation of Kim Jong-un visit

China has been one of North Korea’s most important allies even though relations have recently chilled.

Chinese policemen block a road leading to the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Tuesday. A sign in the center reads: "Traffic control."

The arrival of a special train in Beijing and unusually heavy security at a guesthouse where prominent North Koreans have stayed in the past have raised speculation that Kim Jong-un is making his first trip to China as the North’s leader.

Mr. Kim has summits planned with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in late April and with President Donald Trump by May. While there has been no word of a similar meeting with Chinese leaders, China has been one of North Korea’s most important allies even though relations have recently chilled because of Mr. Kim’s development of nuclear weapons and long range missiles.

A vehicle convoy entered the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Monday evening and a military honour guard and heavy security were seen later. That followed reports from Japanese network NTV and public broadcaster NHK of a special North Korean train arriving in Beijing under unusually heavy security.

 

A spokeswoman of the Chinese foreign ministry said she was not aware of the situation and had no further comment. North Korea’s state-run media had no reports of a delegation traveling to China.

South Korea’s presidential office said on Tuesday it cannot confirm reports that the train carried Mr. Kim nor a separate report that Mr. Kim’s sister was onboard.

Train similar to the one that carried Kim Jong-il to Beijing in 2011

NTV reported the green and yellow train appeared very similar to the one that former North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong-un’s late father, took to Beijing in 2011 and has 21 cars.

A video that aired on NTV also showed a motorcade of black limousines waiting at the train station and rows of Chinese soldiers marching on what appeared to be a train platform. The video did not show anyone getting off the train.

White House spokesman Raj Shah said on Monday the U.S. could not confirm reports that Mr. Kim was visiting China.

Mr. Shah reiterated Mr. Trump’s plans to meet with Mr. Kim, saying the U.S.-led international pressure campaign against Pyongyang “has paid dividends and has brought the North Koreans to the table.”