North Korea has reportedly completed all work on its side of a road bridge across the Tumen River, but the opening has been delayed because Russia has failed to finish access roads and related infrastructure on its bank, South Korean outlet Daily NK writes, citing a source in North Hamgyong province.
Pyongyang had insisted on opening the bridge by June 19, the second anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty between North Korea and Russia. Despite tight deadlines and shortages of funding and materials, North Korea built customs and quarantine facilities, laid the bridge deck, and paved access roads. Ьore than two months after an April 21 ceremony linking the bridge spans, however, Russia still had not completed construction on its side.
“Our officials are beside themselves with frustration that the Tumen River bridge opening, which we pushed hard to achieve on the second anniversary of the Korea-Russia treaty, has been delayed due to Russia’s pathetic construction problems,” the outlet’s source in North Korea said.
In response, on June 19 the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea sent a directive to the Rason city party committee and the General Bureau of Border Security to revise the opening schedule and reorganize the border zone. North Korea estimates that it will take another year before all planned facilities are fully completed and regular traffic can begin to use the bridge.
