Russia Restarts Passenger Train Directly To North Korean After 4 Years Of Suri's Death

UNSPLASH/Ostankino Tower ILLUSTRATION, Moskva, Russia/Mike Tentunov

JAKARTA - Russia revived direct passenger train service with North Korea in July after a four-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Interfax news agency reported.

Citing the governor of eastern Russia Primorsky Krai bordering North Korea, Oleg Kozhemyako, Interfax reported the train will depart from the city of Vladivostok to Rason port in North Korea.

"After boarding Vladivostok, (passengers) will immediately come to the DPRK, enjoy the beauty, natural, cultural beauty there, know customs and traditions," the agency said, citing Kozhhemyako's statement at the opening of a freight festival in Vladivostok., reported by Reuters, Wednesday, June 26.

After Russia launched a massive invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and imposed sanctions on Moscow by Kyiv allies, Russia is leaning 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 agreement that includes a collective defense pledge.