The commencement of the bridge project signifies deepening ties between North Korea and Russia, particularly amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
North Korea and Russia Strengthen Ties with Historic Road Bridge Construction
North Korea and Russia Strengthen Ties with Historic Road Bridge Construction
North Korea hails its inaugural road bridge to Russia as a pivotal advancement in bilateral relations.
North Korea has announced that the construction of its first road bridge connecting to Russia marks a "significant" milestone in the relations between the two nations, as reported by the state media KCNA. The construction, which began on Wednesday, will span the Tumen River in northeastern North Korea and will be located near the historic Friendship Bridge, a Soviet-era rail link. Russian sources estimate the bridge's completion timeframe to be mid-2026.
This development follows North Korea's recent acknowledgment of deploying troops to assist Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine. The bridge construction signifies the escalating cooperation between these two heavily sanctioned nations, which have grown closer since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Plans for the bridge were cemented during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Pyongyang last year when he entered into an agreement with North Korea to establish a "comprehensive strategic partnership," indicating the highest level of diplomatic relations between the nations.
At the ceremony marking this construction milestone, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin emphasized that the bridge represents more than just an engineering project. "It symbolizes our shared desire to enhance friendly relations and boost inter-regional cooperation," he stated.
Coincidentally, construction began on the day South Korean lawmakers reported that more than 600 North Korean soldiers had lost their lives while aiding Russia in Ukraine, a figure attributed to intelligence reports. In exchange for military support, Russia reportedly has provided North Korea with technical assistance regarding surveillance satellites, drones, and anti-air missile technology. A week ago, North Korea claimed its military personnel had played a pivotal role in the "complete liberation" of Russia's Kursk border region, amid ongoing conflicts in the area.
