Kim Jong Un, the Chairperson of the North Korean State Affairs Commission, departed on a private train on the 1st to attend China's 80th anniversary commemoration event of the victory day.
On the 2nd, the Korean Central News Agency reported that "Kim has boarded a private train for his visit to Beijing," and that senior officials, including Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, are accompanying him. The presence of his spouse, Ri Sol-ju, and daughter, Kim Ju-ae, has not been disclosed.
It is unusual for North Korea to officially report the Supreme Leader's overseas travel immediately after departure.
The train carrying Kim is expected to arrive in Beijing on the same day after crossing the border via the Yalu River railway bridge connecting Pyongyang to Sinuiju and Dandong, China.
Earlier, sources concerning North Korea reported that Kim left Pyongyang by train on the afternoon of the 1st.
Kim is expected to attend the 80th anniversary military parade in Beijing on the 3rd at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. There are also suggestions that he may appear alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin.