Russia and North Korea Begin Traffic on First Permanent Road Bridge

MOSCOW/PYONGYANG: Regular traffic has begun on the first permanent road bridge connecting Russia and North Korea across the Tumen River, marking a significant step toward expanding trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.

The bridge was officially inaugurated on September 7, 2026, with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and his North Korean counterpart Pak Thae Song participating in the opening ceremony via video link.

The approximately one-kilometre-long, two-lane bridge connects Russia’s Khasan settlement with North Korea’s Tumangang area. A railway service already operates across the existing “Friendship Bridge” between the two countries, but it has been considered insufficient to meet growing transportation and trade requirements.

The new road bridge is expected to facilitate year-round traffic, increase freight volumes, reduce transportation costs and ensure more reliable and regular deliveries of goods. Officials say the project will further strengthen trade and economic ties between Russia and North Korea.

Russian Transport Minister Andrey Nikitin said the two countries also intend to continue cooperation in the construction of civilian infrastructure.

Construction of the road bridge began on April 30, 2025. Following a decision by the leaders of the two countries, the bridge has been named after Yakov Tikhonovich Novichenko, a Soviet Army officer who displayed extraordinary bravery in Pyongyang in 1946 by shielding North Korean founder Kim Il Sung from a grenade thrown into a crowd.

Initially, freight traffic has been launched on the bridge, while passenger traffic is expected to become fully operational at a later stage.