North Korea-China land trade bridge nears opening as giant gate and high-rises appear

A giant gateway marked in golden Korean letters with the name of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea now stands on the North Korean side of the New Yalu River Bridge, according to Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun. A high-rise building nearby flies the North Korean flag from its roof.

The bridge links Sinuiju in North Pyongan province with the Chinese city of Dandong in Liaoning province. Completed in 2014, it has remained unused for more than a decade. Recent construction and inspection work, however, has fueled analysis that the long-delayed bridge opening is entering its final stage.

Yomiuri reported that the high-rise building is believed to be a customs facility and that surrounding roads were also being improved. Personnel were seen inspecting facilities around the gateway when the site was viewed from Dandong on the morning of the 3rd.

The newspaper said, “The preparations for opening the bridge appear to have entered the final stage.” Some observers expect the opening to take place next month, around the 77th anniversary of diplomatic relations between North Korea and China.

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The high-rise building is presumed to be a customs office, and road improvements were also under way nearby. Preparations for opening the bridge appear to have entered the final stage.