Russia, North Korea Open First Road Bridge Across Shared Border

Russia and North Korea on Monday inaugurated the first road bridge connecting their shared border, hailing the project as a major step toward strengthening economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The 1-kilometre (0.6-mile) bridge spans the Tumen River and has two lanes, with the capacity to handle up to 300 vehicles a day through a newly constructed border crossing, the Russian government said.

The bridge connects the North Korean city of Rason with Russia’s Khasan, with simultaneous inauguration ceremonies held in both cities. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and North Korean Premier Pak Thae Song joined the event via video link.

Mishustin said the expansion of transport infrastructure would provide “a powerful boost” to trade, economic, technological, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two countries.

Pak described the bridge’s completion as a “significant event” that would give fresh momentum to bilateral cooperation, according to North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Ties between Moscow and Pyongyang have deepened significantly in recent years. North Korea has provided ammunition and troops to support Russia’s war in Ukraine, while Moscow has offered economic and military assistance in return.

North Korea has also been welcoming Russian tourists since February 2024 as pandemic-era restrictions have gradually eased. KCNA said the new bridge would facilitate tourism, people-to-people exchanges and the movement of goods between the neighbours.

Russia and North Korea already have a railway bridge linking the two countries, as well as air connections. In 2024, they agreed to build a road bridge across the Tumen River, which forms part of North Korea’s border with Russia and China. Construction began last year.