North Korea Marks Milestone with First Road Bridge to Russia

North Korea’s first road bridge to Russia begins construction as a “significant” development in bilateral relations. Expected to be completed by mid-2026, this project follows North Korea’s admission of troop deployment in Ukraine. The bridge symbolizes deepening ties between the two nations amid mutually beneficial military and technological exchanges.

North Korea is celebrating a new development—its first road bridge to Russia, which it has termed a “significant” milestone in their bilateral relations. The announcement, made via the state media outlet KCNA, follows the commencement of construction that began on Wednesday. This bridge, set to span the Tumen River in northeast North Korea, will be located near an existing land link, the Soviet-era Friendship Bridge.

According to reports from Russia’s Kommersant newspaper, the completion of this bridge is projected for mid-2026. This development comes on the heels of North Korea’s recent admission that it had dispatched troops to support Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Observers note that the construction of this bridge marks a trend of increasingly close ties between North Korea and Russia, particularly since Russia’s military actions began in Ukraine back in 2022.

The plans for the bridge were established during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Pyongyang visit last year, where he and North Korean leadership formalized an agreement for a “comprehensive strategic partnership.” This partnership represents the peak of bilateral relations achieved by Moscow with North Korea. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin remarked at the bridge construction ceremony that this endeavor goes beyond mere engineering; it is indicative of a mutual aspiration to bolster friendly and neighboring relationships while enhancing regional cooperation.

The timing of this bridge’s construction coincides alarmingly with reports from South Korean lawmakers indicating that over 600 North Korean troops have been killed while fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, based on intelligence assertions. It has been suggested that, in exchange for military support, Russia may be supplying North Korea with advanced technologies related to spy satellites, drones, and anti-aircraft missiles.

Additionally, North Korea has claimed that its troops recently played a role in the “complete liberation” of the Kursk border region in Russia, eight months after Ukraine’s unexpected incursion, highlighting their military involvement. However, Ukraine continues to assert that some of its forces are still active within that region of Russia, raising further questions about the ongoing conflict dynamics.

Overall, the bridge symbolizes not just an infrastructure project, but also reflects a deepening alliance between two nations facing extensive international sanctions, and it serves as a poignant marker of their evolving support strategies amid global conflict.

In summary, North Korea’s construction of its first road bridge to Russia, marking a notable step in their bilateral relations, reflects growing collaboration amid international sanctions. As the project proceeds towards a mid-2026 completion, it is intertwined with military ties, especially regarding North Korean troop support in the Ukraine conflict. This development underscores the shifting geopolitical landscapes as both nations navigate their strategic partnerships during ongoing global tensions.

Original Source: www.bbc.com