North Korea and Russia have commenced construction of their first road link, signalling a further strengthening of their growing bilateral relationship. The new bridge, which will span the Tumen River along their shared border, is intended to bolster travel, tourism, and trade between the two countries.
According to reports, the bridge will be approximately one kilometre long and is expected to be completed within 18 months. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in the border cities of Khasan in Russia and Tumangang in North Korea.
Premier Pak reportedly called the bridge "a historic monument" to growing ties, while Prime Minister Mishustin described it as "a reliable basis for closer cooperation and fruitful dialogue".
Currently, North Korea and Russia are connected by a railway bridge and limited air services. In June 2024, a road bridge was agreed to enhance automotive travel and logistical capabilities. The Tumen River also borders China, making the region a key geopolitical corridor.
This latest infrastructure project comes amid increasingly close cooperation between the two isolated regimes, particularly in the military sphere. Earlier this week, North Korea confirmed for the first time that it had deployed combat troops to assist Russia in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. According to Pyongyang, the soldiers were dispatched to help Russian forces reclaim areas of the Kursk region that Ukraine had seized in a 2024 counteroffensive.
A South Korean intelligence briefing shared with lawmakers estimated that North Korea has sent approximately 15,000 troops to Russia. Of those, around 4,700 are believed to have been killed or wounded in combat. In exchange, Moscow is said to have provided Pyongyang with advanced military hardware, including air defence systems, electronic warfare equipment, drones, and satellite technology.
The growing Russia–North Korea alliance has sparked global concern, with Western nations and regional neighbours warning it could further destabilise Eastern Europe and East Asia. Once completed, the new bridge will offer a direct automotive route between the two countries, further enhancing their economic and strategic alignment amid rising global tensions.
