International relationsKim Jong Un uses special toilet on China trip to hide health clues
North Korean side takes pains to ensure no DNA leaks to intelligence agencies
Kim Jong Un, center, rides in his specially designed train to Beijing to commemorate the victory over Japan in World War II. (Kyodo via Korean Central News Agency)
TETSUYA FUJITA
September 3, 2025 00:29 JST
SEOUL -- The armored train Kim Jong Un rode to China for a military parade this week is equipped with a private lavatory designed to prevent the leak of any biometric data that could give hints about the North Korean leader's physical condition, according to South Korean and Japanese intelligence agencies.