World · Singapore Bureau
North Korea nears completion of stalled China bridge project
North Korea is close to finishing its section of the New Yalu River bridge with China after more than a decade of construction delays, suggesting the long-awaited crossing could soon open for use.
LSN Singapore ·
SEOUL — North Korea appears to be in the final stages of completing its portion of the New Yalu River bridge linking the country with China, according to analysis released by a South Korean research firm on Wednesday.
The bridge project has languished since construction began, with work repeatedly halted over more than ten years. The completion of Pyongyang's section suggests the crossing could be operational in the near term, marking a significant development in transport infrastructure between the isolated nation and its closest economic partner.
The New Yalu River crossing would provide an additional trade and transport route between North Korea and northeastern China, supplementing the existing infrastructure at the border. The project's progression comes amid ongoing economic pressures on Pyongyang, which has sought to strengthen ties with Beijing.
The analytics firm's assessment, based on available evidence, indicates that work on the North Korean side is substantially advanced. However, no official timeline for the bridge's opening has been announced by either Pyongyang or Beijing.
The bridge's completion would represent one of the few major infrastructure achievements for North Korea in recent years, as international sanctions and economic difficulties have constrained development projects across the country.