North Korea said the development of the first road bridge to Russia was a “significant” milestone in relations between the two countries, according to the country’s national media KCNA.
Construction on the bridge is set to extend to the Tumen River in the northeastern part of the country – which began on Wednesday. Located near the only other land connection between Russia and North Korea – a Soviet-era railway bridge known as the “Friendship Bridge.”
According to the Russian Kommersant newspaper, the bridge is expected to be completed by mid-2026.
It comes just after the first confirmation that North Korea had sent troops to support Russia in the war with Ukraine.
The new bridge is the latest indication that it will deepen relations with two heavily approved countries since Russia began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Plans for the new bridge were decided last year when Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Pyongyang, where he signed an agreement on a “comprehensive strategic partnership” for Moscow’s highest level bilateral relationship.
At a ceremony marking the start of construction of the bridge, Russian Prime Minister Mishtin said the bridge “exceeds more than mere engineering challenges.”
“It symbolizes our common desire to strengthen friendly, well-intentional relationships and increase inter-regional cooperation,” he added.
The bridge construction said that more than 600 North Korean troops fighting for Russia in the war with Ukraine were killed citing their intelligence report officials.
In return for military support, Moscow appeared to provide Pyongyang with technical assistance on spy satellites, drones and anti-aircraft missiles, they added.
Earlier this week, North Korea said its soldiers helped Russia’s Kursk border area “fully free” eight months after the surprising Ukraine invasion.
Ukraine says some of its troops are still in the Russian region.
