Russia and North Korea Open Road Link Over Tumen River for Traffic
RUSSIA – A road link over Tumen River between Russia and North Korea was opened for traffic on Tuesday, in a ceremony held at the border between the two nations.
“A ceremony was held at the border between the Russian Federation and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to connect the span of the future road bridge across the Tumen River, connecting the two countries,” the Russian Ministry of Transport said in a statement.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Russian Minister of Transport Andrey Nikitin noted that road traffic between the two countries appeared for the first time in history and became possible thanks to the construction of the road bridge, which was completed today.
“The first direct road link between Russia and the DPRK will be established. Currently, only a railway route exists – via the Friendship Bridge over the Tumen River,” he stressed.
“Direct road traffic will appear between the countries for the first time. The most important stages of construction have been completed in less than a year,” he said.
“The launch of the new road bridge will increase mutual trade volumes, optimize logistics, strengthen cultural ties, and transform border areas into dynamically developing economic hubs connected by a modern corridor,” he added.
The bridge crossing is nearly 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) long, with the bridge itself measuring 1 km. It contains two traffic lanes. On the Russian side, 70 people and 30 pieces of equipment were involved in building the bridge.
