North Korea and Russia are approaching the commissioning of a new road bridge connecting the two countries across the Tumen River, in the context of increasingly strongly promoting bilateral relations.
According to North Korean news agency KCNA, the two sides aimed to soon inaugurate a bridge about 850m long, which was started about a year ago. This project is considered an important step to strengthen cooperation in fields such as trade, tourism and travel between people of the two countries.
The bridge will directly connect to Russia's highway system, located near the "Peace" bridge - a railway line put into use in 1959 after the Korean War. The construction of the bridge was agreed upon during President Vladimir Putin's visit to Pyongyang in 2024.
The media reported that a ceremony marking the bridge's connection took place, while the official inauguration is expected to be held in the near future. The Russian Embassy in Pyongyang said the project could be completed on June 19.
Mr. Oleg Kozhemyako, Governor of the Primorsky region of Russia, said that the bridge will contribute to promoting trade, expanding cultural and tourism exchanges between the two countries. The project also helps shorten the distance between Vladivostok and the border city of Rason to 320km, with the ability to serve up to 300 vehicles per day.
This development takes place in the context of many Russian delegations continuously visiting North Korea. Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev met with Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea Jo Yong Won in an atmosphere described as favorable. Previously, Russian Federal Minister of Health Mikhail Murashko also visited Wonsan to attend the inauguration ceremony of a hospital symbolizing friendly relations between the two countries.
Russia-North Korea relations have been significantly strengthened after the two sides signed the "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" treaty in 2024, including a mutual defense clause. According to this agreement, North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support Russian forces in the Kursk region in western Russia in the conflict with Ukraine.
The completion of the new bridge is expected to become a new connecting symbol, contributing to promoting bilateral cooperation in many fields.
