New Yalu River Bridge opens after 12-year delay, signaling China-North Korea economic thaw

The New Yalu River Bridge, completed in 2014 but never opened, has finally been inaugurated, marking a tangible step in China-North Korea economic engagement. The delay had been attributed to North Korean infrastructure gaps and sanctions; its opening suggests a deliberate policy shift by both sides. The bridge's operational impact on North Korean trade and regional logistics remains uncertain, but it signals potential easing of economic isolation.