North Korea and Russia plan to build a bridge across the Tumen River that runs through their border and are set to start negotiations next month.

U.S. news service NK News on Friday said Aleksandr Krutikov, a deputy minister for development of Siberia, said that North Korea will provide the labor and Russia the equipment and materials. At present, the only link over the Tumen River connecting the two countries is a rail bridge that was built in 1959.

The two sides discussed the project during talks in Pyongyang in March. North Korea's Deputy Premier Ro Tu-chol told Alexandr Galushka, Russia's Far East development minister, "There are 23 automobile checkpoints between North Korea and China, and none with Russia."

Ro pointed out that products made in Siberia therefore have to be transported through China, and the bridge could make trade much easier.

After the meeting, the Russian government set up a working group to deal with the construction of the bridge.

Meanwhile, North Korea's exports to China rose to $11.8 million in March after plunging to $8.8 million in February due to tougher international sanctions, according to Voice of America.

