North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has left Pyongyang for China, where he will be attending a military parade in the capital Beijing, media reports say.
The Victory Day parade, which takes place on Wednesday, will see Kim rub shoulders with China's President Xi Jinping, Russia's Vladimir Putin, and other world leaders - making it his first multilateral international meeting.
Kim left the North Korean capital on Monday evening onboard his armored train, which is said to include a restaurant car serving fine French wines and dishes like fresh lobster.
The train's heavy protection means it travels slowly, and Kim's journey is expected to take up to 24 hours, according to South Korea's Yonhap agency.
Kim's attendance marks the first time a North Korean leader has attended a Chinese military parade since 1959. He will be among 26 other heads of state - including leaders from Myanmar, Iran, and Cuba - in attendance.
His presence is seen as an upgrade from China's last Victory Day parade in 2015, when Pyongyang sent one of its top officials, Choe Ryong-hae.
The reclusive leader rarely travels abroad, with his recent contact with world leaders limited to Putin, whom he has met twice since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Kim's last visit to Beijing was in 2019 for an event marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the countries, also undertaken by train.
The tradition of traveling via train was established by Kim's grandfather, Kim Il Sung, and continued by his father, Kim Jong Il, who was reportedly afraid of flying.
According to one South Korean news outlet, the armored train has around 90 carriages, including conference rooms, audience chambers, and bedrooms.
Tens of thousands of military personnel will march in formation through Beijing's historic Tiananmen Square during the parade, which will mark the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War Two.
The 70-minute parade is likely to showcase China's latest weaponry, including hundreds of aircraft, tanks, and anti-drone systems, representing the first full display of its military's new force structure.
Most Western leaders are not expected to attend due to their opposition to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, yet leaders from Southeast Asia will be present, indicating Beijing's efforts to strengthen regional ties. Only one EU leader will attend - Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, with representatives from Bulgaria and Hungary also scheduled to join.
