Russia is constructing a £77 million bridge to connect northern North Korea with eastern Russia by 2026. The bridge will span 2.92 miles over the Tumen River and will be built next to the existing Friendship Bridge. The project started after Vladimir Putin’s visit to North Korea, with preparatory work currently underway.
A new bridge, costing approximately £77 million, is under construction to link northern North Korea with eastern Russia. The 2.92-mile bridge is set for completion by the end of 2026 and will span the Tumen River, which delineates the borders of Russia, North Korea, and China. This project will be built adjacent to the existing railway connection, known as the “Friendship Bridge,” established in 1959.
The initiative was approved by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in February, granting the contract to a modest construction firm based in Sochi, TonnelYuzhStroi, according to NK News reports. Official construction on the bridge has yet to commence, with authorization occurring following President Vladimir Putin’s visit to North Korea in 2024.
Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora shared that preparatory work is currently underway, which includes finalizing design documentation and organizing construction teams and equipment. “The construction of the bridge has not yet begun,” he stated to RIA.
Matsegora noted North Korea’s optimism regarding the recent communications between Washington and Moscow concerning the ongoing war in Ukraine, where North Korean troops have notably been involved. During a recent visit to Pyongyang, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoygu briefed North Korean leader Kim Jong-un about these discussions. Matsegora expressed that there are no concerns in Pyongyang over the stability of their strategic partnership with Russia, reinforcing the strong ties shared by the two nations.
In conclusion, the construction of a new bridge linking North Korea and Russia represents a significant geopolitical development, set for completion by the end of 2026. The project, authorized by Russia’s government and led by a small construction firm, reflects ongoing diplomatic interactions between the two countries, particularly in the context of the Ukrainian conflict. The strong relationship between North Korea and Russia continues to develop despite external pressures and potential international ramifications.
Original Source: www.express.co.uk
