North Korea and Russia united by bridge, least visible connection to satellites: Report
Moscow/Pyongyang, July 28 Russia and North Korea are completing the first direct road connection, with the construction of a two-lane bridge, one kilometre long and about seven metres wide, over the Tumen River, between the localities of Khasan and Tumangang, which runs alongside the already existing railway connection.
The infrastructure, the result of a project launched after the strategic partnership agreement signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Supreme Leader of North Korea Kim Jong-un in June 2024 - and which should have been inaugurated last June but is not yet completed on the Russian side - seems to signal Moscow and Pyongyang's intention to strengthen their military cooperation, with the transport of North Korean soldiers and engineers to Russia, and Russian high-tech military components to North Korea, Italian News Agency Adnkronos reported.
North Korea's road network is much more extensive than its railway network, making it more difficult to monitor in its entirety. Loading and unloading operations can be done anywhere and faster, so loads are less exposed to satellite passage.
And while trucks always appear the same in satellite images, train wagons reveal much of their content in satellite-taken images. In addition, the new infrastructure cost 100 million dollars against a trade exchange of 34 million (2024 data). Tourism is also limited to escorted tours for no more than 10,000 people per year (in 2025), with a final destination 500 kilometres from the crossing. The railway tracks in the two countries have different gauges, so trains must be modified before crossing the border.
North Korea had sent 14,000 soldiers to fight alongside the Russians in Kursk, after the incursion of Ukrainian forces in August 2024, two thousand of whom reportedly fell on the front.
Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that Pyongyang intends to send another 30,000 troops now.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The satellite monitoring loophole is worrying. India has always advocated for transparent international relations. If North Korea can move troops and weapons undetected by road, it sets a dangerous precedent. Our intelligence agencies should take note.
$100 million for a bridge when trade is only $34 million? That doesn't add up economically. Clearly this is about military logistics, not commerce. The world needs to pay attention to what's happening in the Korean peninsula.
As an Indian, I find this reminiscent of how infrastructure can be used for strategic purposes. We built the Atal Tunnel for connectivity, but this bridge seems purely for military movement. The gauge difference in railways shows they're going to great lengths to overcome obstacles.
The fact that North Korea already sent 14,000 soldiers and now plans 30,000 more is alarming. India has always opposed unilateral military interventions. This could escalate the Ukraine conflict further. 😟
I think the international community needs to impose stricter sanctions. If roads make it harder for satellites to monitor, we need new surveillance methods. India's space program could potentially contribute to monitoring such developments.
While I understand Russia's need for allies, this partnership with North Korea is troubling. As someone who values peace
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