Russia and North Korea have opened their first road bridge across the Tumen River, marking a fresh sign of deepening ties between the two nations. The one-kilometer, two-lane bridge spans the river between Khasan in Russia’s far east and Tumangang in North Korea, allowing up to 300 vehicles per day to pass through a newly built border crossing point.
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, who participated in the opening ceremony via video link, described the bridge as a new symbol of friendship. He expressed conviction that the expansion of transport infrastructure near the border will provide a powerful boost to trade, economic, technological, scientific, and cultural cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
The project comes as military, political, and economic relations have flourished since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. As part of this strategic partnership, North Korea has supplied ammunition and troops to support Russia’s war efforts in return for economic and military assistance.
The road bridge adds to existing air services and a railway bridge. Other signs of closer ties include the arrival of Russian tourists in North Korea since February 2024 amid easing pandemic curbs. Following an agreement in 2024, construction of the automobile bridge began last year.