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Russia and North Korea open first road bridge between the two countries

A new road bridge over the Tumen River linking Russia and North Korea has opened to traffic.

Russia and North Korea open first road bridge between the two countries

Russia and North Korea inaugurated their inaugural road bridge spanning the Tumen River, marking the first land connection between the two nations. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and North Korean Premier Pak Thae Song participated in the ceremony via remote connection. This bridge, named in honor of Soviet hero Yakov Tikhonovich Novichenko, is approximately 1 kilometer in length and construction commenced in late April 2025.

Novichenko's heroic act in 1946, where he sacrificed himself to shield Kim Il Sung from an assassination attempt, earned him the highest accolade in North Korea - Hero of Labor. The bridge's opening, held in June 2024, was a joint effort between the two countries which also signed a treaty on a comprehensive strategic partnership during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to North Korea.

This bridge, along with the existing Friendship Bridge, now provides Russia and North Korea an alternative land route for transportation, previously only accessible via rail.

Written by urgent.news from Meduza (English)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

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