This satellite imagery, provided by South Korea’s unification ministry on April 30, 2025, shows signs of North Korea and Russia preparing to launch the construction of a road bridge linking the two nations across the Tumen River. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, April 30 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s unification ministry said Wednesday it has detected signs of North Korea and Russia launching the construction of a road bridge linking them across the Tumen River as the two nations have been deepening cooperation.
In June last year, North Korea and Russia agreed to build the motorway bridge across the border river with its construction expected to be completed by the end of 2026, as the leaders of the two nations signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty to prop up cooperation.
Citing satellite imagery dated Tuesday, the unification ministry said it has detected signs of North Korea and Russia preparing to hold a ceremony to launch the construction of the bridge.
Russia appears to have set up facilities related to the ceremony and a heliport on its side, while North Korea is presumed to have installed fireworks to celebrate it, the ministry said.
Russia’s Tass news agency reported Russia will hold the ceremony Wednesday, with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin delivering a message to mark the event via video link. The North’s Premier Pak Thae-song will attend the ceremony.
The 850-meter road bridge, if completed, is expected to facilitate flows of goods and travelers between the two nations, as they have been bolstering cooperation in various fields, including the military and economy.
Currently, North Korea and Russia have only one railway bridge linking the North’s Tumen River and Russia’s Khasan stations. The bridge opened in August 1959.
(Yonhap)
