North Korea and Russia have initiated the construction of their first road bridge across the river border, as both governments announced on Thursday. This development comes amid expanding bilateral ties following North Korea's deployment of troops and weapons to support Russia's military efforts in Ukraine.
A simultaneous groundbreaking ceremony for the two-lane bridge took place on Wednesday on both sides of the border, according to state media reports. Currently, the two nations share a cross-border railway link.
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin described the bridge as a significant milestone in Russian-Korean relations during a video conference with North Korean counterpart Pak Thae-song. The Russian news agency Tass reported on this exchange.
Pak Thae-song referred to the bridge as a "historic monument" to the collaborative efforts of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir V. Putin to strengthen bilateral relations, as reported by the North's official Korean Central News Agency.
The bridge is expected to be just over half a mile long, with construction projected to take 18 months, according to Russian state media. Upon completion, it aims to enhance passenger and commercial traffic, as well as tourism, according to North Korean state media.
Relations between North Korea and Russia, which had cooled in the post-Cold War era, have been revitalized since 2023, when North Korea began supplying Russia with artillery shells, ballistic missiles, and other conventional weapons to assist in the conflict in Ukraine.
During a visit to Pyongyang in June, President Putin and North Korean officials signed a treaty establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership, emphasizing mutual defense and economic cooperation. They also agreed to construct a bridge for automobiles over the Tumen River, which borders North Korea, Russia, and China.
Later in the year, North Korea confirmed the deployment of its troops to support Russian forces in reclaiming territories lost to Ukraine in the Kursk region. This week, North Korean officials disclosed that approximately 15,000 troops had been sent to Russia, with reported casualties including 600 fatalities, whose remains were cremated and returned to North Korea, according to South Korean intelligence.
In exchange, Russia has provided North Korea with air defense missiles, electronic warfare equipment, drones, and satellite technologies. Additionally, Russia has imported 15,000 North Korean workers, generating revenue for the North Korean government.
Last week, North Korea unveiled its largest naval vessel, a 5,000-ton destroyer, which analysts noted was equipped with various weapon systems that appeared to have been developed with Russian assistance. On Wednesday, North Korea reported that Kim Jong-un observed missile test launches from the new ship earlier in the week.