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| ▲ This image, published by Tass, shows a passenger train that arrived in Moscow on June 25, 2025, after leaving Pyongyang on June 17. North Korea and Russia resumed a direct rail route linking the two capitals after a five-year suspension due to COVID-19. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ This image, published by Tass, shows a North Korean official who arrived in Moscow on June 25, 2025, aboard a train that left Pyongyang on June 17. North Korea and Russia resumed a direct rail route linking the two capitals after a five-year suspension due to COVID-19. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
N Korea-Russia-train
Pyongyang-Moscow direct train route reopens after 5-yr COVID-19 suspension
SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- A passenger train that departed Pyongyang has arrived in Moscow, marking the reopening of the direct rail route between the capitals of North Korea and Russia after a five-year suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a Russian news agency has reported.
The train left Pyongyang on June 17, taking eight days to arrive at Moscow's Yaroslavsky Station on Wednesday -- the first train to travel the Pyongyang-Moscow rail route since rail service was suspended due to the pandemic, Tass reported.
The train route between the two capitals had been suspended since February 2020.
Ahead of its reopening, North Korea and Russia resumed rail service across the Tumen River in December last year, linking North Korea's Tumen River Station in the northeastern border city of Rason with Russia's Khasan Station.
Tass quoted a North Korean railway representative, who arrived in the train, as saying that "there are no passengers in this carriage yet, only the conductors arrived."
"The conductors are thrilled. They've worked in this role before and are glad to resume service on this route," he noted.
The representative also noted newly purchased, advanced-model trains will operate on the route, featuring eco-friendly toilet systems.
He said the relaunch of the direct passenger rail service symbolizes "the strong relationship between Russia and North Korea," describing it as the result of last year's summit in Pyongyang between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Spanning over 10,000 kilometers, the Pyongyang-Moscow route is known as the world's longest direct railway line.
Trains will run twice a month, with tickets going on sale about 60 days before departure, Tass said.
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