Kim Jong-Il has six personal trains: report

Leader Kim Jong-Il has six special luxury trains at his disposal for travel around North Korea plus 19 stations built for his exclusive use, a South Korean newspaper reported Monday.

The trains with a total of 90 carriages are armoured and contain conference rooms, an audience chamber and bedrooms, Chosun Ilbo newspaper said, citing information from US and South Korean intelligence authorities.

It was not possible to confirm the report. But Kim is said to have a fear of flying and to prefer rail travel at home and abroad. He travelled by train on his last known trip to China in January 2006.

Satellite phone connections and flat-screen TVs are installed so the leader can be briefed and issue orders, the newspaper said. The special stations are no more than 30 kilometres (18 miles) from his private retreats, it added.

The train carrying the leader of the impoverished nation is preceded by an advance train to ensure the tracks are safe and followed by another one carrying bodyguards and support personnel, the newspaper said.

About 100 security agents are sent in advance to stations to sweep the area for bombs, and shut off the power on other tracks so that no other trains can move, the paper said.

North Korean military planes and helicopters provide security support, it said.

South Korean and US intelligence have spied on Kim's private trains with satellites, reconnaissance aircraft and other surveillance equipment, and obtained testimony from defectors, Chosun said.

The 67-year-old has made more public appearances this year than last in an apparent bid to quell rumours about his health. He is widely thought to have suffered a stroke in August last year.

In his latest reported "field guidance" tours, state media said the leader visited a newly built power plant and a farm in the south of the country.