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Russia, North Korea Open First Road Bridge
The 1-kilometer crossing is expected to carry up to 300 vehicles a day and deepen trade and transport ties, Russian officials said.
On Monday, Russia and North Korea marked the completion of their first vehicle bridge across the Tumen River, casting the structure as an important milestone in their strategic partnership.
Construction began 1.5 years ago following an agreement between President Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un during a 2024 summit, as bilateral relations intensified since the 2022 war in Ukraine.
The $100 million project by TonnelYuzhStroi spans the Tumen River as part of a 4.7-km crossing facility, featuring 10 lanes with capacity to process 300 vehicles and 2,850 people daily.
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin joined counterpart Pak Thae Song remotely for the ceremony, stating the infrastructure will provide a "powerful impetus" for trade, economic, scientific, and cultural cooperation.
Despite the ceremony, it remains unclear when the bridge will open to vehicle traffic, while the existing Korea-Russia Friendship Bridge has served as the sole link between the two countries since 1959.
Russian and North Korean officials held a ceremony to inaugurate the first vehicular bridge connecting the narrow border between the two countries, stating that the bridge would strengthen ties between the two nations.