[Anchor]
The New Yalu River Bridge connecting Sinuiju, North Korea, and Dandong, China, is expected to open soon. Despite the subtle currents in North Korea-China relations, the bridge had remained closed for 12 years after its completion, and projections suggest the two countries will draw closer once again following this opening.
Here is a report from correspondent Han Sang-woo.
[Reporter]
Dandong, China, where Sinuiju, North Korea, is visible at a glance.
The New Yalu River Bridge, a 3-kilometer-long, four-lane round-trip bridge connecting Dandong New Area and Sinuiju, stretches out into the distance.
After being virtually neglected since its completion in 2014, recent movements indicate preparations for a full-scale opening.
[Dandong Resident: (When is that bridge going to open?) It will open soon. (Will cars be able to pass back and forth too?) Yes, that is possible.]
The North Korean customs office features a hanging North Korean flag, and trucks can be seen moving back and forth.
On the Chinese side, vehicle inspection facilities for vehicles coming from the North have been installed alongside signs in Korean.
Right next to the bridge, a mega-sized building designed to house North Korea-China trade companies has also been constructed.
At night, lights illuminate a sign reading "China-North Korea Yalu River Bridge."
Around 100 large cargo trucks are waiting in the parking lot near the bridge.
[Cargo Truck Driver: (Are all these trucks crossing over into North Korea?) We are going to use them ourselves.]
An opening ceremony was initially expected to be held today (October 6), marking the 77th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between North Korea and China, but a Chinese source said the schedule appears to have changed abruptly.
All preparations, including safety inspections of the bridge, have been completed, but the opening ceremony has not yet been held.
As seen right behind me now, the vehicles that were previously moving back and forth for test operations are no longer visible.
A source noted that the bridge might open quietly due to external perspectives, such as the issue of sanctions on North Korea.
Once opened, the New Yalu River Bridge will take over the role of the Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge, which was completed in 1943.
The Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge featured only a railway and a single lane for vehicles, but moving forward, it is expected to retain only its railway functions.
[Dandong Taxi Driver: When that bridge opens, cars will cross over. Just like before, more people will travel back and forth to North Korea.]
Following the opening of the Tumen River automobile bridge between North Korea and Russia on September 7 last month, the opening of the New Yalu River Bridge between North Korea and China is expected to further invigorate exchanges among North Korea, China, and Russia.
(Video Reported by Choi Deok-hyeon | Video Edited by Jung Yong-hwa | Design by Seo Seung-hyun)
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