Russia and North Korea began on Wednesday the construction work of the first road bridge between the two Allied states, a new sign of strengthening the strategic relations between Moscow and Phenian.
President of North Korea and Russia Photo: EPA-EFE
The importance of this project “It goes far beyond a simple engineering task”Russian Prime Minister Mihail Mihail Misustin gave assurances, on the occasion of the launch ceremony, attended by video conference together with the North Korean Prime Minister Pak Thae-Zong.
The bridge “It symbolizes our common aspiration to strengthen the relationships of friendship and good neighborhood”Misustin stressed, greeting ”Creating a solid base for closer cooperation ” between the Russian and North Korean peoples.
Russia and North Korea strengthened their cooperation, especially military, after the beginning of the Russian offensive in Ukraine in 2022, writes Agerpres.
Both massively sanctioned by Westerners, the two states signed a mutual defense agreement during a rare visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin in North Korea last year.
After months of silence, Moscow recently acknowledged the participation of a contingent of North Korean soldiers in the battles against the Ukrainian army in the Russian Kursk region.
Currently, Russia and North Korea are only linked by a railway bridge.
“A new way will allow business people to significantly increase the volume of transport (goods) and reduce transport costs.”Misustin said. “And, of course, good prospects for tourism will open. ”he added.
For his part, Pak Thae-ong greeted in the future road bridge a “remarkable symbol of eternal friendship ” in the two peoples.
The governor of the Region of Primorie (the Far East Russian), Oleg Kojemiako, who attended the ceremony in person, said he hopes that the road bridge, which will be built next to the current railway bridge, ”It will allow to raise our economic, cultural, sports and tourist relations to a new level ”.
According to him, there is ””Many athletes and children (Russians) who go ” in North Korea.
President Putin announced last year that this country received for holidays in summer camps of children of Russian soldiers killed in the battles in Ukraine.
