Russia and North Korea open first road bridge across the Tumen River
Bridge designed for up to 300 vehicles daily was agreed during Putin's 2024 visit; construction began in spring 2025.
Russia and North Korea on September 7, 2026 opened their first road bridge across the Tumen River, a project intended to deepen transport, economic and political links between the two countries.
The new crossing was built to handle growing cross-border traffic and is designed to carry up to 300 vehicles daily, the Russian government said at the opening ceremony. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin took part by videolink and said: "The commissioning of the first road route will further strengthen the connectivity between our friendly countries."
Location and timeline
The road bridge sits beside the older railway structure known as the "Bridge of Friendship", which dates from 1959. Moscow and Pyongyang agreed to build a separate road link in 2024 during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to North Korea. Construction began in the spring of 2025 and continued until the opening this month.
Russia and North Korea already maintain rail and air links, but the new road crossing adds a dedicated route for vehicles. Moscow and Pyongyang have deepened military and economic cooperation since Russia launched its offensive in Ukraine.
In 2024 North Korea sent thousands of troops to Russia to assist in repelling a Ukrainian incursion in the Kursk region, while Kyiv accused Moscow of using North Korean missiles in its night strikes. Also in 2024 the two governments signed a defence pact providing for mutual support if one of them is attacked.
Pyongyang remains one of the world's most isolated and repressive states, restricting the travel of most of its citizens and tightly controlling foreign visitors. Russian tourism to North Korea has risen in recent years, although the North Korean authorities sometimes close the border without prior notice.
Photo: press material from the event
