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🇬🇷 Greece /Energy & Infrastructure

North Korea and Russia open first road bridge linking the two countries

From Kathimerini · () Greek

Translated from Greek and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire From a news agency Outcome reported
  • North Korea and Russia opened their first road bridge connecting the two countries over the Tumen River.
  • Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said the bridge could expand trade, economic, scientific, technological, cultural and tourism cooperation.
  • The bridge was discussed for years and construction began in April last year after an agreement reached during Vladimir Putin’s 2024 visit to North Korea.

North Korea and Russia have opened the first road bridge linking their territories, inaugurating a new crossing over the Tumen River. Both sides describe the structure as an important milestone in their strategic partnership, Russia’s state-run TASS news agency reported.

The bridge stands near the Friendship Bridge, a railway crossing commissioned in 1959 after the end of the Korean War. Moscow and Pyongyang already have direct air and rail connections.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said the new infrastructure would support development in several areas, including tourism, and create jobs. Speaking by video link at the opening ceremony, he said, “I am confident that expanding cross-border transport infrastructure will provide a strong boost to the further development of commercial, economic, scientific, technological and cultural cooperation.”

The bridge had been under discussion for years. Construction began in April last year after Russia and North Korea agreed to build it during President Vladimir Putin’s visit to North Korea in 2024.

Relations between the two countries have grown stronger since Russia’s war in Ukraine began in 2022. Pyongyang has sent thousands of soldiers to Russia’s Kursk region to help Russian forces repel a Ukrainian incursion there.

I am confident that expanding cross-border transport infrastructure will provide a strong boost to the further development of commercial, economic, scientific, technological and cultural cooperation.

· Mikhail MishustinThe Russian prime minister spoke by video link at the bridge’s opening ceremony.
About this summary

Originally published by Kathimerini in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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