Category
Latest news

Russia and North Korea Start Building First Road Bridge Linking the Two Countries

2 min read
Authors
Photo of Vlad Litnarovych
Vlad Litnarovych
Author
Russia and North Korea Start Building First Road Bridge Linking the Two Countries
An international passenger train travels on the Korea–Russia Friendship Bridge, leaving North Korea and entering Russia. (Source: Wikimedia)

Russia and North Korea have officially begun construction of a new road bridge spanning the Tumen River—a move Russian officials are calling a major milestone in the countries’ deepening relationship, Russian state media outlets Interfax and RIA Novosti reported on April 30.

“This is a truly symbolic step for Russia–North Korea relations,” Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said. “Its importance goes far beyond a simple engineering project. It reflects our mutual desire to strengthen friendly, neighborly ties and expand interregional cooperation.”

The new structure will be the first road bridge connecting the two countries.

Currently, the only direct transport links between Russia and North Korea consist of a single rail bridge and limited air travel. The new bridge is expected to significantly boost cargo shipments and enable expanded passenger traffic.

According to RIA Novosti and Interfax, the entire bridge crossing, including access roads, will stretch 4.7 kilometers (about 2.9 miles). The bridge itself will span 1 kilometer, with 424 meters on the Russian side and 581 meters on the North Korean side. It will be 7 meters wide and accommodate two lanes of traffic.

An official border checkpoint will also be built near the crossing to facilitate vehicle inspections and customs control.

Earlier, the Kremlin confirmed that Russia was prepared to provide military assistance to North Korea under the terms of its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

“Without a doubt. We have a treaty in place, and under this treaty, the parties are obliged to provide immediate assistance to each other if necessary,” Peskov said.

See all