On April 30, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin officially launched the construction of a road bridge that will connect the Russian Federation and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
And so, on April 30, 2025, North Korea and Russia held a ceremonial groundbreaking for the road bridge across the Tumen River, marking the border between the two nations. The ceremony was attended via video link by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and DPRK Premier Pak Thae Song.
In person on the DPRK side were Vice Premier Jong Myong Su; Co-Chairman of the Intergovernmental Commission for Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation Yun Jong Ho, who also serves as Minister of External Economic Relations; Minister of Land and Environmental Protection Kim Kyong Jun; Chairman of the Rason Municipal People’s Committee Sin Chang Il; Consul General of the DPRK in Vladivostok Jo Sok Chol; Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Jong Gyu; along with officials from relevant departments, builders, and residents of Rason.
From the Russian side, participants included Presidential Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev; Co-Chairman of the Intergovernmental Commission and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Alexander Kozlov; Minister of Transport Roman Starovoit; Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic Alexei Chekunkov; Governor of Primorsky Krai Oleg Kozhemyako; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the DPRK Alexander Matsegora; and Russian Consul General in Chongjin Oleg Kosheev.
The two sides exchanged welcoming speeches. Mikhail Mishustin emphasized that the project marks an important milestone in Russia–North Korea relations. He noted that the bridge is more than just an engineering feat—it stands as a symbol of the two countries’ shared commitment to strengthening friendly, neighborly ties and expanding cooperation. Once operational, the bridge will reduce transport costs for businesses, fostering increased trade and tourism between the two nations. In addition to boosting economic ties, the bridge will become a lasting symbol of peace and good neighborliness between Russia and the DPRK.
In his remarks, Pak Thae Song stated that the bridge would serve as an eternal historical monument, symbolizing the indestructible friendship between the two countries. He emphasized that the construction would promote cooperation in tourism, trade, and people-to-people exchange.
“The construction of the road bridge will lay a solid foundation for a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations, opening the door to a new stage of full-scale development,” Pak declared.
Other Russian officials also underscored the ceremony’s significance. Alexander Kozlov remarked that the project is not merely an engineering task but a symbol of cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang: “The bridge will not only link Russia and Korea; it will be a firm handshake between our nations!”
Yuri Trutnev observed that the two countries have built yet another “road of friendship”: “Today, our friendship and relations with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea are growing stronger. We truly support each other and deeply respect the support the DPRK has extended to us.”
Alexei Chekunkov noted that Russia and the DPRK share historical bridges of friendship. The new bridge across the Tumen River, he said, would bring the Russian Far East and Primorye closer and unlock new tourism opportunities for citizens of both nations.
To mark the occasion, a commemorative stele was unveiled at the construction site on the Korea–Russia border. It bore the national emblems of both countries and the inscription in Russian and Korean: “To Commemorate the Start of Construction of the Road Bridge on the Korea–Russia State Border, April 30, 2025.”
Delegations from the two countries also held productive discussions. According to various media hints, the dialogue extended beyond the bridge project to broader issues of economic and humanitarian cooperation.
Technical Details
Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoit noted that the bridge itself will span approximately 850 meters, of which 300 meters will be constructed by Russia. The total length of the bridge and its access roads will be 4.7 kilometers. The bridge will have a width of 7 meters, accommodating two lanes of traffic. On the Russian side, 2.4 kilometers of approach roads will also be built. In addition, Russia will construct a border checkpoint and refurbish over 100 kilometers of surrounding roads.
The estimated construction period is around 18 months.
The new road bridge is expected to greatly facilitate communication between the two countries.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) emphasized that this project aligns with the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the DPRK and the Russian Federation.
Western and Southern Reactions
The response, at times, resembled the old anecdote: “On the third day of captivity, we noticed a wall was missing in the cell.” On April 30, South Korea’s Ministry of Unification, citing satellite imagery, claimed it had detected signs that Russia and North Korea had begun constructing a road bridge. “Russia appears to have prepared facilities related to the ceremony and a helicopter landing site on its side, while North Korea is presumed to have set up fireworks to celebrate the event.” This deep “analysis,” however, followed after TASS had already reported the news.
Author’s Commentary:
- Indeed, one may agree that the bridge construction “provides a tangible guarantee for the establishment and strengthening of vital infrastructure for economic cooperation and promotes the expansion of bilateral ties, including in people-to-people exchanges, tourism, and multilateral trade.”
- True, the project did not begin overnight, but the bureaucratic inertia must be acknowledged—thorough planning and budget allocation take time, even with some preparatory work already done.
- It is worth noting that the project has not met with overt opposition from China, though the author is aware of some unease over whether the bridge might impede Beijing’s access to the river’s estuary.
- On the one hand, bridge traffic will be monitored by U.S. reconnaissance satellites and others; on the other, knowing this, neither Moscow nor Pyongyang is likely to conceal anything.
- In reference to the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Prime Minister Mishustin rightly pointed out that this document marked a qualitative leap in Russia–DPRK relations, bringing them in line with the realities of the time and creating a solid foundation for launching mutually beneficial joint projects.
Konstantin Asmolov, PhD in History, Leading research fellow at the Center for Korean Studies, Institute of China and Modern Asia, Russian Academy of Sciences
