North Korea, Russia aim to open new road bridge soon, KCNA says
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The project aims to boost bilateral cooperation, including tourism, trade and the movement of people.
PHOTO: AFP
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SEOUL – North Korea and Russia aim to open a road bridge connecting the countries across the Tumen River as soon as possible, North Korean state media KCNA said on April 23, as the neighbouring countries forge closer ties.
The project, which began in 2025, is “an important business” to boost bilateral cooperation, including tourism, trade and the movement of people, KCNA said.
Construction of the 850m bridge, which will connect to Russia’s highway system, was agreed on during a 2024 visit to North Korea by President Vladimir Putin.
Russia and North Korea held a ceremony on April 21 to mark the joining of the bridge, the Moscow Times reported.
It is being built near the existing Friendship Bridge, a rail bridge which was commissioned in 1959 after the Korean War.
KCNA said an opening ceremony would be held soon, without specifying a date. The Russian embassy in Pyongyang wrote on Telegram that the bridge would be completed on June 19.
Mr Oleg Kozhemyako, governor of the Primorsky region in Russia’s Far East, wrote on Telegram that the bridge would increase trade and expand cultural and tourism ties.
He said it would cut the distance between Vladivostok and the border city of Rason to 320km and the crossing would have the capacity to accommodate up to 300 cars per day.
The update came as several Russian delegations visited North Korea this week.
Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev met Mr Jo Yong-won, chairman of the Standing Committee of North Korea’s Supreme People’s Assembly, on April 22 in what KCNA described as a “favourable atmosphere”.
On April 22, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko visited the North Korean city of Wonsan to attend a ceremony celebrating the construction of a hospital symbolising the “friendship” between the countries, KCNA said.
Russia and North Korea in 2024 signed a “comprehensive strategic partnership treaty” during Mr Putin’s visit to Pyongyang.
The pact includes a mutual defence provision, and North Korea has sent thousands of soldiers to fight alongside Russian forces in western Russia’s Kursk region after a large Ukrainian incursion.
China has also been seeking to strengthen cross-border infrastructure and rebuild ties with North Korea and in March saw the first passenger train service between the countries resume after a six-year gap. REUTERS
