Vehicles are now crossing a newly inaugurated bridge linking Russia and North Korea, opened on Monday, September 7, 2026. Named after Soviet officer Yakov Novichenko, credited with saving North Korea’s founding leader Kim Il-sung, the bridge spans the Tumannaya River in Russia’s Primorsky Krai Region.
The bridge marks the first road connection across the border shared by the two nations. At 1 kilometer (0.6 mile) long and featuring two lanes, it is set to handle 300 vehicles daily through a newly established border crossing. The bridge connects the border cities of Rason in North Korea and Khasan in Russia.
A virtual inauguration ceremony took place, attended by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and North Korean Premier Pak Thae Song. Mishustin emphasized that enhancing transport infrastructure on the border will significantly advance trade, economic, technological, scientific, and cultural collaboration between Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Mishustin: “I am convinced that the expansion of transport infrastructure near the border will give a powerful boost to further development.”
Pak Thae Song described the bridge’s completion as a notable event driving new bilateral cooperative movements. Relations between Russia and North Korea have strengthened, with North Korea providing military support to Russia in its conflict in Ukraine, receiving economic and military assistance in return.
Since easing pandemic restrictions, North Korea has welcomed Russian tourists since February 2024. North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency reported that the new bridge will promote tourism, human exchanges, and the movement of goods between the nations.
Previously served by a railway bridge and air service, Russia and North Korea agreed to construct this automobile bridge over the Tumen River in 2024. This river delineates North Korea’s borders with Russia and China, with construction beginning last year.
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