Quick Take: Construction Activity on North Korean Side of Sino-North Korea Bridge

Commercial satellite imagery from March 22 indicates that several small structures have appeared on the North Korean side of the New Yalu River Bridge, south of the Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge. 

In spring 2020, an area close to the bridge was cleared and the land appeared to be readied for construction. At the same time, the road leading from the bridge to Sinuiju City was paved, but neither building construction nor further activity had been observed in this area until last month.  

Imagery from February 26, 2025, showed building construction underway, with the first blue-roofed structures in place. By March 3, approximately 20 had appeared. Throughout early March, additional structures were erected and the foundations for several new buildings can be observed in two adjacent plots of land.  

While the nature of this work remains to be seen, its proximity to the bridge crossing likely means that the area will house a customs and immigration area. After a long hiatus, this renewed effort may signal an intention to start using this bridge in the near- to mid-term future, likely in tandem with the Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge. Alternatively, this activity may represent a broader effort to enhance border management in anticipation of increased cross-border movements, as construction of a new North Korea-Russia bridge over the Tumen River ramps up, as well.