North Korea-China Spot Large Trucks on New Yalu River Bridge, Raising Expectations for Official Opening

Large cargo trucks have been spotted operating on the New Yalu River Bridge connecting Sinuiju, North Korea, and Dandong, China.

According to North Korea-related sources, a large truck crossed from the Dandong side of the New Yalu River Bridge toward Sinuiju on the morning of the 20th.

The truck had a dark-colored cover over its cargo bed.

This is the first time that a large cargo truck crossing the New Yalu River Bridge has been practically confirmed.

Observations are being raised that this may have been a test run ahead of the bridge's official opening.

Sources stated that quite a few local residents have recently witnessed trucks moving toward the North Korean side using the New Yalu River Bridge.

The New Yalu River Bridge, with a total length of 3,026 meters and four round-trip lanes, was completed in October 2014 with China covering the entire construction cost.

However, due to the lack of proper access roads and customs facilities on the North Korean side, its official opening has been delayed for nearly 12 full years.

Recently, however, rumors have been spreading in Dandong that the New Yalu River Bridge will officially open early next month.

Local residents and North Korea-related trade circles are even mentioning specific dates, suggesting the bridge could open around the 5th or 6th of next month.

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

Signs indicating that the opening of the New Yalu River Bridge is imminent have been detected consecutively of late.

As confirmed by Yonhap News at the Dandong site on the 8th, work vehicles and small cargo trucks were spotted moving from China toward North Korea and then returning on the New Yalu River Bridge.

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

Sources explained that electric passenger cars without license plates and excavators have also been spotted waiting at the Chinese entrance of the New Yalu River Bridge recently.

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