North Korea is on the trajectory of strengthening strategic ties with China and Russia. According to a new report coming from a South Korean analytics firm, the country is nearing the completion of a section of the long-stalled New Yalu River bridge with China.
As the work nears completion, it is reported that the opening of the bridge is imminent after a 12-year delay.
SI Analytics also revealed after processing satellite imagery that the structural work on a custom and immigration facility on the North Korean side of the 3-km long bridge will be nearly completed early in September.
“Utilising its signature ‘speed battle’ tactical campaign, North Korea has effectively executed in just four months a project that had been stalled for 12 years,” as per report.
It also pointed to final signs of completion, such as road paving, perimeter landscaping, and the removal of auxiliary support buildings. However, there is no official confirmation from Chinese and North Korean officials.
The event “signifies that North Korea has established major new transport networks connecting to the continent on both its eastern and western flanks,” SI Analytics added.
The development is seen as a symbol of thaw aimed at reviving travel, tourism and trade links between neighbours. It also highlights Beijing’s growing efforts since late 2025 when the country tried to tighten its grip on Pyongyang. But after the COVID-19 pandemic, the diplomatic exchange between two countries slumped.
Hence, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un turned towards Russia by strengthening ties with Moscow as it sent troops and weapons to support Russia’s war in Ukraine. In exchange, the Kremlin helped North Korea with its assistance in building naval destroyers and expanding economic ties.
China completed a dual-carriageway bridge in 2014 connecting Dandong, China, to Sinuiju, North Korea, to link free trade zones and encourage export-oriented economic reforms.
North Korea left its side of the bridge unfinished, terminating in a field, due to strained relations caused by its continued nuclear tests.
Relations warmed following Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to North Korea in June, leading to resumption of passenger train services, direct flights and renewed construction on the bridge.
The development comes after on Monday North Korea and Russia deepened strategic ties by opening their first-ever road bridge.
