Construction of a new road bridge spanning the Tumen River in Russia’s northeast commenced on Wednesday, marking a significant development in the relations between Russia and North Korea. The bridge, which will be situated next to today’s existing ‘Friendship Bridge’, will significantly enhance connectivity between the two countries. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, their relationship has ever-deepened.
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on the Taman side, during the ceremony marking the launching of the bridge construction. Yet throughout the engineering process, he stressed the cultural significance of the project, saying that it is “much more than an engineering project.” Mishustin further highlighted that the bridge symbolizes a “common desire to strengthen friendly, good-neighbourly relations and increase inter-regional cooperation.”
The new bridge, which will include wider pedestrian and cyclist accommodations, is expected to be done by the middle of 2026. It will make a significant new land link between Russia and North Korea, joining the ‘Friendship Bridge’, the only current land route since the Soviet era. So when President Vladimir Putin visited Pyongyang last year, infrastructure buildup was focused on and shored up by officials. This unprecedented visit concluded with the signing of the Joint Statement that uplifted their bilateral relationship to a “comprehensive strategic partnership.”
As of this writing, the bridge is under construction. Simultaneously, South Korean legislators are claiming that more than 600 North Korean soldiers have been killed fighting with Russian military in Ukraine. This context adds further significance to the growing military and political partnership between the two countries.
North Korea’s state media, KCNA, described the bridge’s development as a “significant” milestone in enhancing relations with Russia, reflecting a shared commitment to mutual support and cooperation amidst growing international tensions.
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