Construction of £77 Million Bridge to Connect Russia and North Korea

A £77 million bridge is planned to connect northern North Korea with eastern Russia by 2026. Construction is yet to begin, pending necessary preparations and designs, following official approval after Putin’s visit. The initiative aims to enhance bilateral ties between the two nations amidst geopolitical developments.

A substantial investment of £77 million is being directed towards the construction of a bridge intended to connect northern North Korea with eastern Russia. Spanning 2.92 miles, the bridge is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026, positioned adjacent to an existing railway bridge that has facilitated connections since 1959. This initiative will specifically cross the Tumen River, which delineates the borders of Russia, North Korea, and China.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin sanctioned the project in February, awarding it to TonnelYuzhStroi, a relatively small and inexperienced firm based in Sochi, as reported by NK News. Although construction has yet to commence, the project received official approval following President Vladimir Putin’s visit to North Korea in 2024. The new bridge will be located next to the existing “Friendship Bridge,” enhancing the existing transportation links between the two countries.

According to Alexander Matsegora, Russia’s ambassador to North Korea, preparations for the bridge project are currently underway. “The construction of the bridge has not yet begun,” Matsegora elaborated to RIA, indicating that the involved parties are finalizing design documentation and organizing both construction crews and equipment.

Matsegora also commented on the positive engagement between North Korea and Russia in the context of communications with the United States concerning the ongoing war in Ukraine, where North Korean personnel have reportedly been involved. He mentioned that Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoygu updated North Korean leader Kim Jong-un about these discussions during a recent visit. Matsegora emphasized that there are no concerns in Pyongyang about the solidity of their strategic partnership, stating that the ties between the two nations are robust, strengthened by their shared history.

In summary, the £77 million bridge between Russia and North Korea represents a significant infrastructural initiative designed to strengthen connectivity between the two nations. With construction expected to commence in the near future, the project has already elicited positive diplomatic interactions amid geopolitical tensions, affirming the strength of the cooperative relationship between North Korea and Russia.

Original Source: www.express.co.uk