North Korea and Russia open first road bridge, sparking Ukrainian concerns

The first road bridge between Russia and North Korea across the Tumen River, locally known as Tumannaya, has been officially opened with a ceremony. (Governor of the Primorsky region Oleg Kozhemyako Telegram Channel.)

North Korea and Russia have opened the first road bridge over their shared border.

Up to 300 vehicles will use the road bridge each day, according to the Russian government.

Russia says the new bridge will further boost trade, economic and cultural cooperation between the two nations but Ukraine is worried it could be used to transport weapons.

North Korea and Russia have opened the first road bridge over their shared border in a show of deepening ties between the two nations amid the Ukraine war.

The new bridge, which crosses the Tumen river, is designed to accommodate "a projected growth in freight and passenger traffic", according to the Russian government.

The government said up to 300 vehicles will be able to pass through it daily.

The first flag-adorned trucks crossed the one kilometre road on Monday as Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and North Korea's Premier Pak Thae Song tuned in by video link to address workers and government officials from both countries.

The road bridge connects Russia and North Korea across the Tumen River. (Russia Government via Reuters)

Mr Mishustin said the new route would "further strengthen the connection between our friendly countries".

"I am convinced that the expansion of cross-border transport infrastructure will provide a powerful impetus for the further development of trade, economic, scientific, technological and cultural cooperation," he said.

Mr Mishustin also said ties between Moscow and Pyongyang were "at an unprecedented high level" and called the opening of the bridge "a genuinely historic event".