North Korea promotes Sinuiju's night view after opening bridge to China

North Korea has begun promoting the new night look of its border city of Sinuiju, following the recent opening of a bridge linking it to China's Dandong.

The Rodong Sinmun, the North's most widely read newspaper, ran an article Thursday on the city's night view, now brightened by new LED lighting, reporting the new look "makes people happy."

The Workers' Party of Korea's provincial committee recently installed lights along the river and on nearby buildings, the newspaper said, adding the work gave the gateway city a "unique night view."

The campaign came after the motor bridge opened on Oct. 15, raising hopes of more trade and personnel exchanges.

The four-lane bridge, stretching 3,026 meters (9,928 feet), was completed in 2014 with an investment of about $310 million from China. Its opening had been delayed for years as North Korea did not complete building connecting roads and customs facilities on its side.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made a surprise visit to Dandong on Saturday via the bridge in a show of the strategic ties between the two traditional allies.

Yonhap