A new car bridge connecting North Korea and Russia has officially opened. This new route, which adds a roadway to the existing rail-centric border transport network, is expected to enhance logistics and exchanges between the two countries.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the opening ceremony for the Tumen River car bridge took place on September 5. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and North Korean Premier Park Tae-sung attended the event via video link.
Mishustin stated, "This spring, we jointly embarked on this ambitious project, and in just 16 months, we are witnessing this historic moment." He noted that the new bridge was designed to accommodate an increase in cargo and passenger transport, stating, "Up to 300 vehicles can pass through daily."
The Tumen River car bridge was constructed with two lanes for traffic. The total length, including the bridge connection, is approximately 5 kilometers, with the main bridge spanning about 1 kilometer. A ten-lane border checkpoint for vehicle traffic has also been established near Russia's Khasan station.
Russia views the new bridge as a key infrastructure project to expand trade between the two nations. Mishustin emphasized that the bridge is part of the 'East-West International Transport Corridor' connecting St. Petersburg in western Russia to Vladivostok in the Far East. He stated that expanding border transport infrastructure will boost trade and economic cooperation between North Korea and Russia, as well as collaboration in science, technology, and culture, adding, "New jobs will be created, and the tourism industry will have a bright outlook."
Premier Park also evaluated that under the strategic leadership of the two countries' leaders, exchanges and long-term cooperation projects are being implemented based on the strategic partnership treaty.
The construction of this car bridge is a result of an agreement made during the North Korea-Russia summit held in June 2024 in Pyongyang. The two countries began construction near the existing Tumen River railway bridge in April of last year. The Russian government had anticipated the bridge's completion by June 19 during the connection ceremony in April, but the actual opening was delayed by about three months.
The opening ceremony also highlighted the historical significance of North Korea-Russia relations. The Tumen River car bridge is named after Soviet officer Yakov Novichenko, who thwarted an assassination attempt on then-North Korean leader Kim Il-sung in 1946.
During the event, Novichenko's grandson, Nikolai Sherbitsky, drove a red Zaporozhets car that belonged to Novichenko across the bridge, leading the procession of Russian vehicles.
With the opening of this bridge, a direct connection between North Korea and Russia via vehicle transport has been established, complementing the existing Tumen River railway bridge. As Russia emphasizes the expansion of transport infrastructure and the strengthening of trade and logistics cooperation, attention will be focused on how much vehicle transport volume and trade scale will increase in the future.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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