The first vehicle bridge between Russia and North Korea was inaugurated with a groundbreaking ceremony last April, after which construction on the Russian side progressed rapidly. Since September, however, North Korea has markedly accelerated its own efforts. This acceleration appears aimed at making progress before winter sets in and, given Kim Jong Un’s personal interest in the project, at demonstrating visible results. Although completion is scheduled for the end of next year, North Korea is currently rushing to build cofferdams in order to avoid creating the impression of lagging behind Russia.

Once completed, the bridge is expected to dramatically improve the existing inadequate railway-based trade route, leading to a sharp increase in bilateral trade: North Korea would import fuel and food from Russia, while exporting labor, ammunition, and other military supplies in return. This deepening of North Korea–Russia ties will make sanctions against Pyongyang over its nuclear program even harder to enforce, and is likely to further reinforce reliance on the top-down approach to the nuclear issue promoted by U.S. President Trump and Russian President Putin.