Korea and Russia appear unlikely to open a road bridge connecting their countries in the near term, despite an earlier mid-June target, after satellite imagery showed Russian-side facilities unfinished, US think tank 38 North said.

The 850m bridge, which ⁠will connect to Russia’s highway system, was agreed during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pyongyang in June 2024, and will be a first road link between the two. The Russian embassy in ​Pyongyang had said in April that it would open on Jun 19.

Analysts have said the bridge could eventually increase logistics activity by more than 40 per cent and help North Korea reduce its heavy reliance on China by deepening economic ties with Russia.

38 North, citing satellite imagery, said on Tuesday that the bridge over the Tumen River appears complete and North Korean border facilities are largely finished, but much more work is needed on the Russian side before the crossing can become operational.

The North Korean side has a large warehouse, parking lot, paved access roads and what appears to be a completed frontier post, while Russia’s probable customs complex is far less advanced and is likely to be at least three times larger, the think tank said.

Russia’s transport ministry declined to comment. The North Korean embassy in Moscow did not immediately respond to a request for comment.