First Road Bridge Opens Between Russia and North Korea

Russia and North Korea inaugurated the first road bridge spanning their shared border on Monday, an achievement Russian officials described as strengthening the deepening partnership between the two nations.

The Tumen River crossing measures one kilometre (0.6 mile) in length, features two lanes, and is designed to accommodate up to 300 vehicles per day at a newly established border checkpoint, according to a statement from the Russian government.

“I am confident that expanding transport infrastructure along the frontier will provide a significant boost to trade, economic, technological, scientific and cultural cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,” said Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, who participated in the opening ceremony via video link.

In recent years, relations and exchange programs between Russia and North Korea have grown, with North Korea supplying ammunition and troops to support Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Since February 2024, North Korea has welcomed Russian tourists as pandemic restrictions have gradually eased.

Although a railway bridge and air service already link the two countries, Russia and North Korea agreed in 2024 to build an automobile bridge over the Tumen River, which delineates North Korea’s borders with both Russia and China; construction commenced the previous year.

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