Satellite imagery taken on Aug. 25 shows the main road for cargo trucks through the customs compound had been paved. Parking areas and inspection zones for large trucks also appeared to be nearing completion.

Map showing the locations of the two bridges

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, walks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un before a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the victory over Japan and the end of World War II in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on Sept. 3, 2025.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, walks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un before a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the victory over Japan and the end of World War II in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on Sept. 3, 2025.

Footage of North Korea's bootleg game "Fortress Defense," showing more than 40,000 users are currently online.

An old loading screen of Supercell's Clash of Clans, above, compared with the North Korean knockoff, "Fortress Defense," below.

Footage of North Korea's game "Fortress Defense," seemingly a bootleg of Supercell's Clash of Clans.

Construction of a new customs complex and road in Russia is not yet finished. The bridge had reportedly been expected to open on June 19, but the official opening will likely be delayed further.

Freight trucks return from Sinuiju, North Korea, to Dandong, China in June. Courtesy Joung Eunlee

Construction materials and temporary shelters for workers extend in a nearly continuous line for more than 1 kilometer. Large quantities of pipes, reinforcing steel, paving materials and concrete formwork have been staged along the roadside for easy access. Analyzed by Bruce Songhak Chung

The 3-kilometer-long New Yalu River Bridge, seen in satellite imagery taken on July 20. A new customs facility on the North Korean side is still under construction, while China has already completed its own.

Satellite imagery shows rapid progress at North Korea's customs complex connected to the New Yalu River Bridge, with most major buildings now structurally complete, though key infrastructure work remains unfinished. Analyzed by Bruce Songhak Chung

A man takes pictures of the New Yalu River Bridge connecting China's Dandong and North Korea's Sinuiju, from Dandong, Liaoning province, China, May 24, 2018.

The locations of the 21 MLRS support buildings are grouped into three main sectors near the DMZ, south of the city of Kaesong. Analyzed by Jacob Bogle

Satellite imagery showing two of the completed probable MLRS support buildings, highlighting the multiple roof elevations and driveway approaches common to each of the 21 buildings identified. Analyzed by Jacob Bogle

Two of the 52-meter support buildings while they are under construction. The bottom image from 2024 reveals the internal layout of the structures. Analyzed by Jacob Bogle

This picture taken on May 26, 2026 and released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on May 27, 2026 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspecting tests of a newly-developed lightweight multi-purpose missile launching system and a multiple tactical cruise missile weapon system conducted by the Missile Administration and the Academy of Defense Sciences at an undisclosed location in North Korea.

This picture taken May 26, 2026 and released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on May 27, 2026 shows a test firing of a missile launch system conducted by the Missile Administration and the Academy of Defense Sciences at an undisclosed location in North Korea.

Power shortages once darkened Sinuiju at night, but satellite images show a renewable energy boom is underway.