North Korea and Russia building mammoth £77m bridge to link two countries

The 2.92-mile bridge, which is set to be completed by the end of 2026, will connect northern North Korea with eastern Russia, near the city of Vladivostok

A massive £77m car bridge is in the works, set to rise next to an existing railway bridge that connects North Korea with Russia's Far East. The 2.92-mile bridge, expected to be completed by the end of 2026, will forge a link between northern North Korea and eastern Russia, close to Vladivostok.

Spanning the Tumen River, which serves as a natural border between Russia, North Korea and China, this project aims to enhance connectivity in the region.

In a surprising move, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed off on a decree in February, handing the ambitious project over to a relatively unknown and inexperienced Sochi-based company named TonnelYuzhStroi, as reported by NK News.

Although construction has not yet kicked off, the green light was given following Vladimir Putin's trip to North Korea in 2024.

The new crossing, to be built alongside the historic "Friendship Bridge" that has connected these two tightly-run states by rail since 1959, is still in the preparatory phase.

"The construction of the bridge has not yet begun," confirmed Alexander Matsegora, Russia's ambassador to North Korea, in a conversation with RIA.

He elaborated that both parties are currently engaged in preliminary work, which includes finalising design plans, assembling construction teams, and organising equipment, reports the Express.

Furthermore, Matsegora revealed that Pyongyang views the recent dialogue between Washington and Moscow regarding the conflict in Ukraine positively – a war where North Korean soldiers have reportedly been active participants.

During a recent visit to Pyongyang last Friday, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoygu briefed North Korean leader Kim Jong-un about the ongoing communications between the US and Russia, the ambassador disclosed.

"Our Korean friends do not have even a shadow of concern that they can somehow influence the comprehensive strategic partnership between our countries, the relations of fraternal friendship between the Korean and Russian peoples, cemented by the bloodshed of their shared blood," Matsegora added.