Mishustin called the construction of a bridge between the Russian Federation and the DPRK a landmark stage for relations

The construction of a bridge between Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) across the Tumannaya River is a landmark stage for relations between the states. This was announced on April 30 by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

"This is a truly significant stage for Russian-Korean relations. Its significance (bridge construction. — Ed.) goes far beyond just an engineering task," he said during a ceremony dedicated to the start of construction of the bridge, which was held in a video call format with the participation of Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of North Korea Park Tae-sung.

According to Mishustin, the bridge symbolizes the desire of the two countries to strengthen friendly and good-neighborly relations, as well as to increase interregional cooperation. He added that the parties are creating a reliable basis for closer cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, a path for an open, fruitful dialogue, rapprochement of peoples, as well as an increase in the number of trips and meetings, exchange of impressions and acquaintance with history and traditions.

"Of course, the key priority for us is the construction of a bridge crossing through which year—round automobile traffic will pass," the Prime Minister concluded.

Playing by the rules: Russia can also provide military assistance to the DPRK

Vladimir Putin thanked the North Korean military for their help in liberating the Kursk region.

On April 17, the press service of the Primorsky Krai government announced the start of work on the railway route between the region and the DPRK on May 8. It was clarified that the new route appeared on the initiative of the governor of the region Oleg Kozhemyako and with the support of Russian Railways, border guards, customs officers and representatives of the tourism industry.

The agreement on the construction of a border road bridge across the Tumannaya River was signed by the government of the Russian Federation and the DPRK during the visit of the Russian delegation to the republic on June 19, 2024. Roman Starovoit, the head of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, told Izvestia that the document was signed as part of the agreements between the leaders of the two countries, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un, reached during the DPRK leader's visit to Russia in September 2023.