Russia-North Korea railway opens ahead of Russia's May 9 Victory Day

The railway line connecting the Russian city of Vladivostok in Primorsky region and the North Korean city of Rason began operating on May 8, one day before Russia's Victory Day celebration.

Russian and North Korean flags in front of the train station in the Russian city of Primorsky - Photo: 5-TV

“Russian tourists will be able to visit the monument to Soviet soldiers who died during the liberation of Korea from Japanese invaders in 1945 on May 8, the day before Victory Day on May 9,” the Primorsky region government announced on April 17.

Victory Day is one of the most important holidays in Russia, marking the victory of the Soviet Red Army over the Nazis in the Great Patriotic War (May 9, 1945 - May 9, 2025).

South Korean observers say the inauguration of a new railway connecting Russia and North Korea right before a particularly important Russian holiday shows the close relationship between the two countries.

Primorsky authorities say the operation of a new international tourist train route between Russia and North Korea is of great importance for the region.

During his two visits to Russia in 2019 and 2023 by private armored train, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un got off at the train station in the Primorsky region.

Moscow and Pyongyang still operate flights between Vladivostok and Pyongyang, as well as a railway line between Khasan (Russia) and Tuman River (North Korea). Trains connecting Khasan and Tuman run every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and the journey between the two stations takes just 17 minutes.

Currently, Russians can only travel to North Korea through the two above methods and by the new railway line that will open in early May.

Previously, on March 27, Russian and North Korean media reported that the two sides would soon start building a road bridge across the Tumannaya River (Tumen River in Korean).

Moscow and Pyongyang signed an agreement to build the road bridge during a Russian delegation's visit to Pyongyang in June 2024.

Construction teams have moved necessary materials on both sides of the river, preparing to start construction.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tuyen-duong-sat-nga-trieu-tien-khanh-thanh-ngay-truoc-ngay-chien-thang-9-5-cua-nga-20250418114125334.htm