Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Russia and North Korea Open First Road Bridge, Deepening Ties
Russia and North Korea have opened their first proper road bridge between the two countries.
The bridge crosses the Tumen River and is about one kilometre long.
It connects Khasan in Russia with Tumangang in North Korea.
Before it opened, vehicles crossed using planks placed on an older railway bridge.
Russian and North Korean leaders said the bridge could help trade, tourism, jobs and cooperation.
Trucks can use it now, while passenger vehicles are expected to use it later this year.
The bridge is named after Yakov Novichenko, a Soviet soldier honored in North Korea.
The opening shows that Russia and North Korea are becoming closer.
Ukrainian rights groups worry that the bridge could also help move military personnel, equipment or technology.
Russia and North Korea opened their first direct road bridge across the Tumen River on Monday, September 7.
The roughly one-kilometre, two-lane bridge connects Khasan in Russia’s Far East with Tumangang in North Korea.
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and North Korean Premier Pak Thae-song attended the ceremony by video link.
Russia said cargo trucks could begin using the bridge immediately, while passenger traffic is expected after it becomes fully operational at the end of the year.
The countries describe the bridge as an economic and friendship project, while Ukrainian groups warn it could also support military logistics.
- Who
- Russia and North Korea, represented at the ceremony by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and North Korean Premier Pak Thae-song.
- What
- The countries opened their first direct road bridge across their shared border.
- When
- The opening ceremony took place on Monday, September 7; reports were published on Tuesday.
- Where
- Across the Tumen River, linking Khasan in Russia’s Far East with Tumangang in North Korea.
- Why
- The governments said the bridge would expand trade, tourism, employment, travel and wider cooperation; critics raised concerns about possible military uses.
Economic and Civilian Connection
Potential Strategic and Military Route
Purpose of the bridge
Economic and Civilian Connection
Russia and North Korea describe the bridge as infrastructure that will support trade, tourism, employment, human exchange and economic, technological and cultural cooperation.
Potential Strategic and Military Route
Truth Hounds and other Ukrainian rights advocates warn that it could eventually facilitate the movement of North Korean personnel and workers into Russia, as well as Russian equipment and technology in the opposite direction.
Meaning of closer ties
Economic and Civilian Connection
Officials present the project as a new symbol of friendship and part of a broad, comprehensive strategic partnership between neighboring countries.
Potential Strategic and Military Route
Critics connect the bridge to expanding military cooperation, including North Korean support for Russia’s war in Ukraine and reported Russian military and technological assistance to North Korea.
- Bridge length
- Roughly one kilometre, or 0.6 miles
- Bridge design
- Two lanes, with capacity for up to 300 vehicles per day
- Route
- Connects Khasan in Russia with Tumangang in North Korea across the Tumen River
- Current use
- Cargo trucks can use the bridge immediately
- Expected passenger use
- Passenger traffic is expected after the bridge becomes fully operational at the end of the year
- Construction
- Work began in April last year after the project was agreed during Vladimir Putin’s 2024 visit to North Korea
- Bridge name
- Yakov Novichenko, a Soviet Red Army officer credited with saving Kim Il-sung in 1946
Sources
Russia, North Korea Deepen Ties, Open First Road Bridge Across Shared Border
North Korea and Russia open their first road bridge, a symbol of expanding ties
Russia, North Korea open first road bridge, deepening ties amid Ukraine war