Increase in North Korean Worker Dispatch... North Korea-Russia Train Operates Three Times a Week

Resumption of Train Services Between Yeonhaeju, China, and North Korea

Starting this December, passenger trains between North Korea and Russia will resume regular service three times a week, according to a report by Radio Free Asia (RFA) on the 21st. There is growing interest in whether this will increase the dispatch of North Korean workers to Russia.

RFA cited Russia's Interfax on the same day, reporting that Sergey Pomitchev, Director of Far East Regional Development at the Russian state railway company "Russian Rail," said, "From December 15, regular train service will resume between Primorsky Krai and China and North Korea."

Director Pomitchev stated at a recent Russian travel forum held in Khabarovsk, "Officials responsible for North Korea and China held a meeting last week regarding border reopening after the COVID-19 pandemic," adding this information.

He said, "From December 15, passenger trains will resume operation between Suifenhe (Suifenhe City), China, and Grodekovo in Russia's Primorsky Krai," and "Regular trains will also run three times a week between Hassan Station in Primorsky Krai and Tumangang Station in North Korea, allowing many travelers to move back and forth."

He also mentioned that a railway line connecting Vladivostok and Hassan in Russia with Najin in North Korea is under development, with trial runs scheduled to begin in October. Previously, North Korea and Russia conducted a trial passenger train run between Hassan Station and Tumangang Station in June.

North Korea is reportedly planning to fully reopen tourism to foreigners starting this December, which coincides with the timeline mentioned by Director Pomitchev. North Korea specialist travel agency Koryo Tours confirmed in August that "partners within North Korea, that is, business associates, have confirmed that tourism in Samjiyon and throughout North Korea will officially resume this December," and stated, "North Korean borders will open to all nationalities."