Russia and North Korea Initiate Construction of £77 Million Bridge

A £77 million bridge, 2.92 miles long, is being built to connect northern North Korea and eastern Russia, expected to be completed by 2026. Construction has not yet begun, pending final preparations and authorizations following diplomatic engagements between the countries.

A significant infrastructure project is underway with a £77 million bridge being constructed to connect northern North Korea and eastern Russia. This 2.92-mile bridge is expected to be completed by the end of 2026 and will span the Tumen River, which serves as a border between the three countries: Russia, North Korea, and China. It will be located near Vladivostok, alongside an existing railway bridge associated with the two nations.

The project received official approval in February when Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a decree awarding it to the Sochi-based company TonnelYuzhStroi, which is relatively inexperienced in large-scale constructions. Construction work has not yet commenced, as it only received authorization following President Vladimir Putin’s visit to North Korea in 2024.

Alexander Matsegora, the Russian ambassador to North Korea, clarified that preparatory work is currently taking place, which includes the finalization of design documents and the formation of construction crews and necessary equipment. He confirmed, “The construction of the bridge has not yet begun.”

Additionally, Matsegora indicated that North Korea views recent communications between Washington and Moscow regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine positively. North Korean soldiers have participated in this conflict, heightening the importance of these discussions. The ambassador remarked that Kim Jong-un was informed by Sergey Shoygu, the Secretary of the Russian Security Council, on the talks in his recent visit to Pyongyang.

In summary, the construction of a £77 million bridge between North Korea and Russia marks a significant development in their diplomatic and economic relations. With an anticipated completion date of 2026, this undertaking signifies ongoing cooperation between the two nations, alongside preparatory efforts currently underway. The project is further underscored by strategic implications concerning international relations amid the conflict in Ukraine.

Original Source: www.express.co.uk