Russia and North Korea open first road bridge across their shared border

Russia and North Korea have opened the first road bridge across their shared border, turning a remote stretch of the Tumen River into a new physical link between the two countries. The one-kilometre crossing connects Khasan in Russia’s Far East with Tumangang in North Korea, a few miles from the coast.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin addressed the opening ceremony by video link on Monday. He said the bridge would promote development in areas including tourism and create new jobs. “I am convinced that the expansion of cross-border transport infrastructure will provide a powerful impetus for the further development of trade, economic, scientific, technological and cultural cooperation,” Mishustin said.

The bridge bears the name of Yakov Novichenko, a Soviet officer credited with saving North Korean founder Kim Il-sung during an assassination attempt by a pro-South Korean group. After the ceremony, vehicle convoys crossed from both sides.

Russia and North Korea already have a railway bridge over the Tumen and regular flights between Vladivostok and Pyongyang. Ukrainian human rights groups have warned that the new crossing could become a discreet military logistics route. Truth Hounds described it as a likely future corridor for North Korean troops, construction brigades and military officials entering Russia, with Russian technology and resources moving in the opposite direction.

The two governments have rapidly strengthened ties since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. North Korea has sent thousands of troops to Russia’s Kursk region, according to the article, while South Korean intelligence says Russia is believed to have supplied Pyongyang with air-defence missiles, electronic warfare equipment, drones and spy-satellite technology. Moscow and Pyongyang have also promoted North Korea as a holiday destination for Russian tourists.

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I am convinced that the expansion of cross-border transport infrastructure will provide a powerful impetus for the further development of trade, economic, scientific, technological and cultural cooperation.