Putin Announces "Transarctic Transport Corridor" Plan
Aims to Integrate North Korea into Siberian and Far East Logistics
New Terminology Signals Broader, Multinational Ambitions
Expansion of Infrastructure and Resource Development Outlined
Kremlin Clarifies North Korean Troop Deployment Locations
Russian President Vladimir Putin is attending the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum on the 5th (local time). Photo by TASS Yonhap News
On September 5 (local time), Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans to elevate the development of the "Arctic Route" into the "Transarctic Transport Corridor." In the process, he also revealed his ambition to incorporate North Korea into the Siberian and Far East logistics network.
According to RIA Novosti, President Putin made this statement during the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum held in Vladivostok that day. He said, "We will develop the Transarctic Transport Corridor," indicating plans for a large-scale, integrated logistics network that goes beyond a simple maritime route to connect with Siberia and the Far East.
As the approach changed, so did the terminology. While President Putin had previously used the term "Northern Sea Route," this time he referred to it as the "Transarctic Transport Corridor."
He emphasized that numerous countries and companies are showing interest in the corridor, which will serve as an opportunity to expand domestic economic activity, cooperation in the Far East, Siberia, and Arctic regions, as well as new business opportunities. He also stated that the corridor will be operated 24 hours a day to leverage the transport potential of the Siberian rivers.
In particular, President Putin revealed plans to expand the logistics network to North Korea. He said that a bridge connecting to the Tumen River is scheduled to open next year, and that additional bridges linking to North Korea are also under construction.
On this day, President Putin instructed the government to establish a plan for the development of rare earth resources and to report back by November. He also expressed his intention to expand exchanges with Asia-Pacific and Global South countries. Furthermore, he stated that any country wishing to participate in Far East and Arctic projects would be welcome, and proposed that business-friendly special policies, such as tax reductions, should be introduced in these regions starting in 2027.
Meanwhile, on the same day, Russia announced that North Korean troops dispatched for the war in Ukraine are being stationed only on Russian territory, not in Ukrainian territory. Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Kremlin, stated at the Eastern Economic Forum, "They (the North Korean troops) have not been deployed there (in Ukraine). The North Korean military is stationed on the territory of the Russian Federation."
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