Russia is set to resume direct passenger train services with North Korea in July, ending a four-year pause caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This news was reported by the Interfax agency on Wednesday.
According to Oleg Kozhemyako, the governor of Russia's far eastern region of Primorsky Krai, which borders North Korea, the trains will operate from the Russian city of Vladivostok to the North Korean port city of Rason.
"Passengers boarding in Vladivostok will travel straight to North Korea. They can enjoy the country's beauty, nature, and culture, and learn about its customs and traditions," Kozhemyako said at a festival in Vladivostok showcasing goods from North Korea.
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the subsequent sanctions imposed by Kyiv's allies, Russia has been strengthening its economic, security, and diplomatic relationships with Asian and African countries.
Last week, President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea for the first time since 2000. During this visit, he deepened Moscow's ties with Pyongyang and signed a bilateral agreement, which included a mutual defense pledge.
Ussuriysk: Key Railway Hub Reconnecting Russia and North Korea
Ussuriysk, a city in the Russian Far East located about 100 kilometers north of Vladivostok, plays a crucial role as a railway hub. It connects the Khasan-Tumangang border crossing in Primorsky Krai, facilitating travel between Russia and North Korea.
The customs agency highlighted that the railway service had been “suspended due to the pandemic at the request of the [North] Korean side.”
The train service's resumption comes after Primorsky Krai Governor Oleg Kozhemyako announced the plans last month. His announcement followed a meeting with officials from the North Korean city of Rason, who traveled to Vladivostok by train in May.
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