Russia will resume direct passenger rail service with North Korea in July after a four-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the news agency Interfax reported on Wednesday.
Citing the governor of the Russian far eastern region of Primorsky Krai bordering North Korea, Oleg Kozhemyako, Interfax reported that the trains will run from the city of Vladivostok to the North Korean port of Rason.
“Having boarded in Vladivostok, (people) will come straight to the DPRK, enjoy the beauty, nature, culture there, get acquainted with the customs and traditions,” the agency cited Kozhemyako as saying at the opening of a festival of goods in Vladivostok from North Korea.
After Russia launched its full-scale invasion on Ukraine in 2022 and subsequent sanctions on Moscow by Kyiv’s allies, Russia tilted toward Asia and Africa, seeking economic, security and diplomatic ties.
President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea last week for the first time since 2000, deepening Moscow’s ties with Pyongyang and signing a bilateral deal that included a mutual defence pledge. The relationship is being watched closely. It is possible that the Chinese will not be too happy with an increasing Russian influence. However, North Korea-China relationship is both old and deep. There is no material dilution in the relationship, expected. In any case the train services between the two countries is a case of resumption of services rather than a new initiative which could have been viewed as an indicator of firmer ties.
North Korea has possibly provided weapons and equipment to Russia for the Ukraine War. It has been a source of support for the Russians.
Team Bharatshakti
(With Inputs from Reuters)
