Russia, North Korea start road bridge construction on border river
Russia and North Korea have begun construction of their first road bridge across a border river.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Wednesday, attended via video link by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and North Korean Premier Pak Thae Song.
The bridge across the Tumen River will connect the Russian Far East with North Korea's northeastern region.
Mishustin said the bridge construction "symbolizes our common desire to strengthen friendly, neighborly relations."
Pak said the bridge will be built as "a huge symbol of the immortal friendship and cooperation between the peoples of our two countries."
They each gave the start signal for the construction to begin on their respective sides.
The lower 17 kilometers of the Tumen serves as a border between the two countries. There is currently a railway bridge but no way for cars to get across.
The Russian government says the two-lane bridge will be about 1 kilometer in length and that its construction is expected to be completed in about 18 months.
North Korea has been deepening both military and political ties with Russia. It has sent troops to Russia to take part in operations to reclaim territory in Kursk, where Ukrainian forces have been staging cross-border incursions.
Pyongyang apparently aims to strengthen economic ties with Russia as well through building the new bridge.
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