Key facts
- North Korea and Russia opened their first road bridge across the Tumen River.
- The bridge is intended to boost trade, economic cooperation, tourism, and create jobs.
- The new infrastructure connects Khasan in Russia to Tumangang in North Korea.
- The bridge is named after Soviet officer Yakov Novichenko.
- The opening occurs amid strengthening ties between the two countries since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
North Korea and Russia have officially opened their first road bridge across the Tumen River, marking a significant development in their deepening strategic partnership. The bridge, located between Khasan in Russia's far east and Tumangang in North Korea, is a mile from the coast and spans the river along a remote border.
During the opening ceremony, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin stated via video link that the new crossing would spur development in various areas, including tourism, and create new jobs. He expressed confidence that the expanded transport infrastructure would foster trade, economic, scientific, technological, and cultural cooperation.
The road bridge is named after Soviet officer Yakov Novichenko, who is credited with saving North Korea's founding leader, Kim Il-sung, from an assassination attempt. Convoys of vehicles crossed the bridge from both sides following the ceremony.
This new infrastructure complements the existing rail bridge, the Friendship Bridge, which has been operational since 1959, and existing regular flights between Vladivostok and Pyongyang. However, Ukrainian human rights groups have raised concerns that the bridge could serve as a discreet military logistics corridor for moving troops and equipment between the two nations.
Ties between Moscow and Pyongyang have intensified significantly since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. North Korea has reportedly sent thousands of troops to Russia's Kursk region, and in return, Russia is believed to have supplied North Korea with military technology, including air-defense missiles, drones, and spy-satellite technology, according to South Korean intelligence.
Officials from both countries have also promoted North Korea as a tourist destination, with thousands of Russians visiting since the country reopened to tourists in 2024. Russia's increasing alignment with North Korea has drawn attention, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov defending the relationship. Meanwhile, some of Russia's traditional partners, like Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, have expressed questions about the ongoing war in Ukraine.