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Bridges are ending North Korea's famed isolation. Some fear what comes next

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  • the headline was changed: What North Korea is really building with new Bridges to Russia and Chinaare ending North Korea's famed isolation. Some fear what comes next

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  • North Korea has long held the reputation as the world's most closed-off and nation.
  • North Korea and Russia opened their first road bridge on September 7.
  • Up to 300 vehicles a day could travel from North Korea to as far as St Petersburg, a city and port in north-western Russia.
  • South Korea's spy agency said last year North Korea had sent 10,000–12,000 troops to fight on Russia's front lines.
  • Late last month, Mr Trump announced he would scale back military exercises with South Korea as he found them "totally inappropriate and hostile" to North Korea.

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North Korea has long held the reputation as the world's most closed-off and nation.

Now, the "Hermit Kingdom" is set to have two bridges linking it to its closest allies.

North Korea and Russia opened their first road bridge on September 7.

North Korea's bridge to Russia crosses the Tumen River and is only 1 kilometre long.

The construction is symbolic as much as it is logistical, Nick Bisley, professor of international relations at La Trobe University, said.

Up to 300 vehicles a day could travel from North Korea to as far as St Petersburg, a city and port in north-western Russia.

Ukrainian investigative organisation Truth Hounds said the bridge would be a "direct artery" for moving troops and military officials into Russia.

South Korea's Institute for National Security Strategy estimated North Korea had earnt up to $US14.4 billion through supplying arms to Russia's war efforts.

South Korea's spy agency said last year North Korea had sent 10,000–12,000 troops to fight on Russia's front lines.

Before, most weapons North Korea sent to Russia were shipped via sea, Justin Hastings, a professor of international relations at the University of Sydney, said.

Late last month, Mr Trump announced he would scale back military exercises with South Korea as he found them "totally inappropriate and hostile" to North Korea.

"You've got a Russia, China, North Korea grouping, and you have an America that is at best distracted — at worst disinterested — in deterring and responding to the rising challenge of those three countries."

Shortened to 1 minute of reading, this version reads 4.7 on the Niral Score.

You are reading our version, not theirs. This is ABC News's report shortened to its most important sentences, in plainer words, with verdicts and loaded words taken out. Plain description stays, and so do adjectives that carry a fact, such as "former" or "federal". The reporting, the facts and the quotations are theirs — quotations are never edited — and the indicators beside it measure this version. Hover or tap Adjectives to see every one left in the text.

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ABC Newsas they published this story 8.5 23 69 -0.1 19.9
Mundane Readneutralized from ABC News 7.3 21 69 -0.2 19.9

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