North Korea and Russia open their first road bridge

North Korea and Russia opened their first road bridge on Monday, Russia's TASS state ​news agency reported.

The structure spans the ‌Tumen River.

The bridge is located near ​the existing "Friendship Bridge", a rail bridge which ​was commissioned in 1959 after the Korean War.

There are already direct air and rail ​links between Moscow and Pyongyang.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin ​said the bridge should spur development between the two countries in various spheres - including tourism - and create new jobs.

Construction of the new bridge, which had ​been under discussion ​for years, ⁠began in April last year after its construction was agreed during a visit ​by President Vladimir Putin to North ​Korea ⁠in 2024, according to Reuters.