World’s Longest Direct Train Route Resumes – Moscow to Pyongyang via Siberia
🌍 Historic Revival of Passenger Rail
On June 17, 2025, Russia and North Korea will resume direct passenger service between their capitals—Moscow and Pyongyang—for the first time since February 2020. This twice-monthly service spans over 10,000 km, taking eight days, and is now the longest direct passenger train route in the world en.wikipedia.org+15reuters.com+15youtube.com+15.
🚉 Route & Operations
-
North Korean passenger cars will be attached to Russian trains from Moscow to Vladivostok, then transferred to a Russian Northbound train toward Pyongyang reuters.com.
-
The return trip departs Moscow on the 12th and 26th, arriving Pyongyang eight days later en.wikipedia.org+10mk.co.kr+10themoscowtimes.com+10.
-
Another service from Pyongyang to Khabarovsk launches June 19, completing in two days mk.co.kr+5reuters.com+5russiaspivottoasia.com+5.
⚠️ Why It Matters
-
Symbol of Russia–North Korea Cooperation
After a strategic partnership signed in 2024, both nations have deepened ties, with North Korea reportedly sending troops and arms to support the Russia–Ukraine conflict russiaspivottoasia.com+15reuters.com+15novayagazeta.eu+15. -
Strategic & Economic Significance
The route traverses Siberia, renewing trade, tourism, and potential labor movement. Though ticket sales details are sparse, the service could ease limited cross-border population flows en.wikipedia.org+1en.wikipedia.org+1novayagazeta.eu+11nknews.org+11koreatimes.co.kr+11. -
Record-Length Journey
Covering 10,267 km, this route surpasses even the Moscow–Vladivostok link. Passengers enjoy an uninterrupted carriage ride powered by the Trans‑Siberian network and Korean State Railway odessa-journal.com+6reuters.com+6english.news.cn+6odessa-journal.com+10koreakonsult.com+10reuters.com+10.
🧭 Broader Impacts
-
Diplomacy & Sanctions: The railway expansion forms part of symbolic infrastructure efforts alongside the new Tumen River bridge, reinforcing ties despite Western sanctions apnews.com+1reuters.com+1.
-
Security Concerns: This enhanced connection may also facilitate military logistics, given existing freight links transporting weapons between the two countries the-independent.com+1novayagazeta.eu+1.
📌 In Summary
The Moscow–Pyongyang direct train line restarting this June:
-
Marks the longest direct passenger rail service in existence.
-
Reflects deep strategic and economic integration between Russia and North Korea.
-
Opens new possibilities—and concerns—for infrastructure, diplomacy, and regional influence.
