New Yalu River Bridge, Halted for 12 Years, Likely to Open for Test Run Tomorrow Amid Truck Standby

It has been reported that the New Yalu River Bridge connecting Sinuiju, North Korea, and Dandong, China, is highly likely to undergo a test opening as early as the 18th.

Although the New Yalu River Bridge was completed in October 2014 under a North Korea-China agreement, its opening has been delayed as the construction of connecting roads, customs offices, and related facilities on the North Korean side fell behind.

A North Korea source well-versed in the affairs of the North Korea-China border region stated, "I was told by a Chinese customs official that cargo trucks will enter North Korea via the New Yalu River Bridge on the morning of the 18th."

Another source also conveyed, "There are talks of a test opening ahead of the official opening."

Consequently, the possibility has been raised that vehicular traffic between North Korea and China via the New Yalu River Bridge, which has been practically neglected for nearly 12 full years, will begin on a trial basis.

It was also reported that vehicles presumed to be heading to North Korea are currently waiting at the Chinese entrance of the New Yalu River Bridge.

The source stated, "Passenger cars and excavators are lined up at the entrance of the New Yalu River Bridge on the Chinese side," adding, "Most of the passenger cars are electric vehicles without license plates."

However, Chinese and North Korean authorities have not officially announced whether the New Yalu River Bridge will have a test opening or disclosed specific operation plans.

Rumors are spreading locally in Dandong that the New Yalu River Bridge will officially open early next month following test operations.

Local residents and the North Korea-China trade community are even mentioning specific dates, suggesting that the New Yalu River Bridge could officially open around October 5 or 6.

In particular, since October 6 marks the 77th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between North Korea and China, observations are emerging that an official opening could take place in alignment with the trend of improving North Korea-China relations.

Circumstances indicating that the opening of the New Yalu River Bridge is imminent have been consecutively captured recently.

On the North Korean side, a large gateway reading "Democratic People's Republic of Korea" and buildings presumed to be customs offices have been erected, and construction on surrounding access roads appeared mostly completed.

At the Chinese port of entry as well, preparations for the opening were underway, including the arrangement of wide spaces where cargo trucks can wait or move, and newly painted lanes.

The New Yalu River Bridge has a total length of 3,026 meters and spans four lanes in both directions. It was completed in 2014 with China covering the entire construction cost.

However, because North Korea's access roads and customs clearance facilities were not properly equipped, regular vehicle traffic has not taken place since then.

Currently, overland cargo transportation between Dandong and Sinuiju is mostly conducted via the aging Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge.

When the New Yalu River Bridge opens in earnest, it is expected to disperse the cargo transport concentrated on the existing bridge and expand North Korea-China overland trade, which has recently shown signs of recovery.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.