RussiaandNorth Koreahave celebrated the completion of a major new roadbridgelinking the two nations, with the controversial crossing expected to open as early as June. The project – spanning the Tumen River on the remote Far Eastern border – marks the first-ever direct road connection between Russia and the secretive state often dubbed the“world’s most dangerous country”.
Officials from both sides this week hailed the moment the bridge’s two halves were joined as a “landmark stage” in deepening ties betweenMoscowand Pyongyang. The crossing, known as the Khasan-Tumangang bridge, is expected to open to traffic on June 19, after just over a year ofconstruction. Costing around 9 billion rubles – roughly £89million – the two-lane structure stretches just over 0.6 miles (1km) and connects the Russian settlement of Khasan with Tumangang inNorth Korea.
Once operational, it is designed to handle up to 300 vehicles and nearly 3,000 people per day, dramatically increasing cross-border capacity.
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The new crossing stretches roughly 3,300 ft across the Tumen River, about 1,360ft east of the existing Korea–RussiaFriendship Bridge. The structure is built on concrete piers with steel spans, with around 1,900ft on the North Korean side and 1,390ft on the Russian side. Its road deck carries two lanes and measures approximately 23ft wide, allowing standard vehicle traffic in both directions.
On the Russian side, the project also includes a new approach road of about 1.5 miles around Khasan, alongside the construction of fullbordercheckpoints at either end. The wider crossing connects to Russia’s highway network, reducing travel times between key regional hubs.
Russia's Foreign Ministry said the bridge's significance "goes far beyond a purely engineering task," noting it will serve as a vital artery for "trade, economic and humanitarian exchanges."
The bridge comes amid rapidly strengthening ties between the heavily sanctioned Moscow and Pyongyang, including a defence pact signed in 2024.
Since the 2022 invasion ofUkraine, the nations have rapidly expanded their political, cultural and military cooperation. Construction of the crossing was agreed duringVladimir Putin’s visit to North Korea that year, with both sides presenting it as a symbol of growing strategic cooperation.
Source: Daily Express :: World Feed
