First Russia-North Korea road link shows growing ties
First Russia-North Korea road link shows growing ties newspress_en Sun, 09/20/2026 - 12:38 Politics On 7 September, Russia and North Korea opened traffic on a new road bridge across the Tumen River, connecting the Russian settlement of Khasan in Primorsky Krai with the North Korean town of Tumangan. For the first time in history, the two neighbouring countries are now linked by road. In the…
On September 7, 2026, Russia and North Korea inaugurated traffic on a new road bridge spanning the Tumen River. This bridge connects Russia's Khasan settlement in Primorsky Krai with North Korea's Tumangan town, marking the first time the neighboring nations are linked by road. Previously, a temporary wooden bridge existed across the river, with the Friendship Bridge serving as the sole link since 1959.
The newly opened road bridge, named the Yakov Novichenko Bridge, honors a Soviet Red Army lieutenant who saved North Korea's founder, Kim Il Sung, during a 1946 rally. He is the sole non-Korean recipient of North Korea's highest honor, the Hero of Labor award. The bridge's opening paves the way for increased freight traffic and diversification of logistics routes between the two countries.
Although the bridge's opening had been contemplated for years, a final decision was made in 2024 during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to North Korea, following the signing of the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This treaty, which Putin signed with Kim Jong-un, marked a significant shift in bilateral relations, transitioning from a cool partnership to a military-political alliance.
The new route signifies a turning point in the strained relationship between Russia and North Korea, which had been cool since Russia condemned North Korea's nuclear weapons development during the UN.
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