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| China-Japan-Koreas |
| NorKs Building New Transport Corridor and Border Crossing |
| 2015-05-07 |
| While observers have focused attention on road improvements along the DPRK’s east and west coasts in Rason and Sinuiju, since 2011, the DPRK has been constructing a new highway segment linking Huichon to Manpho, where a new border crossing is under construction. This new road and border crossing is important because, once completed, it will offer Pyongyang its first true international trade route on a paved highway. This will open up trading opportunities between China and the DPRK, particularly in the reclusive Jagang Province, in tourism, consumer goods, minerals/mining and (potentially) military hardware. Planning for this new road and border crossing likely began in 2010 when Chinese-DPRK relations were at a high point. The Chinese government was interested in promoting economic development in its northeast provinces which would require numerous initiatives to achieve greater access to the DPRK’s ports, natural resources and consumers. At the same time, in North Korea, there appeared a desire to expand cooperation on economic projects with China. Additionally, in January 2011, the DPRK cabinet is reported to have adopted the “10-Year State Strategy Plan for Economic Development,” which, among other things, calls for an investment into programs for developing natural resources and the construction of 3,000 km of highways. Based on KCTV footage and KCNA reports, work on the highway segment probably began in early 2011. In addition to the road itself, new supporting infrastructure such as gas stations, cell phone towers, and possible security checkpoints have also been constructed. Work on the new road, however, is not complete. Commercial satellite imagery dated as late as October 2014 indicates that the southern segment of the new road, linking Huichon and Kanggye, has received priority over the northern segment linking Kanggye with the new border crossing in Manpho. The pattern of construction, in which work is proceeding, from the south towards the northern border in Manpho, implies that the road work is being driven by the North Koreans themselves rather than the Chinese (who would travel south from the border along the new road as they were constructing it). On the Chinese side of the border, a village next to the river was displaced shortly after construction began to make way for the new bridge. As of October 2014, little progress seems to have been made on a Chinese customs office or road transportation. The Chinese are not ignoring the project, however. Although no significant work has yet begun on the road on the Chinese side of the border, they have moved ahead with renovations and improvements to a levee that will simultaneously reduce potential flood damage and hinder the ability of North Koreans who try to unofficially cross the river and enter Chinese territory. |
| Posted by:Pappy |