A first between the two countries after 12 years! Opening date announced

The new bridge connecting North Korea and its largest trading partner, China, will finally open on Thursday, 12 years after its construction.

The four-lane road was completed in 2014, but its opening was delayed due to the lack of connecting roads and customs facilities on the North Korean side, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported. It was stated that the bridge, which was announced to be opened at the end of 12 years, is 3,026 meters long.

Built over the New Yalu River, the bridge connects China's northeastern border city of Dandong with one of the world's most isolated countries.

The new bridge was designed as an alternative to the decades-old China-Korea Friendship Bridge that spans the Yalu River, known as the Amnok River in North Korea. Once regularly used by passenger trains, the bridge had limited capacity. However, it was emphasized that through this new bridge, thousands of vehicles can now easily pass between countries every day.

North Korea, which closed its borders during the Covid-19 epidemic, only restarted train services between its East Asian neighbors in March after a six-year pause.

'IT CAN GIVE A SIGNIFICANT MOMENTUM TO ECONOMIES'

North Korean researcher Ahn Chan-il emphasized that the new bridge could provide a significant boost to China's economy by allowing China's abundant goods and resources to flow to North Korea.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said at a press conference on Wednesday, "The New Yalu River Bridge will further enhance the economic and commercial exchanges and people's movement between the two countries and increase the welfare of the two peoples."

On the other hand, in the statement made by the South Korean Unification Ministry, it was stated that Seoul was "closely monitoring" the situation regarding the opening of the bridge.

North Korea has yet to resume issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens, who once made up the vast majority of its visitors from abroad.

China is North Korea's largest trading partner and is seen as a vital source of diplomatic, economic and political support for the isolated nuclear state.

This bridge was once used regularly by passenger trains but its capacity is limited.

A BRIDGE WAS ALSO ESTABLISHED WITH RUSSIA

The opening of the New Yalu River Bridge came just a month after North Korea and Russia opened their first road bridge, which Pyongyang took as a sign of closer ties.

North Korea's trade with Russia largely involves military supplies, while exchanges with China could include goods that North Korea needs most to develop its civilian economy, analysts say.