Russia plans to launch a bus service linking its Far East and North Korea by the end of the year, a Moscow foreign ministry official said on Wednesday, as the two countries look to open a new car bridge across the Tumen River.

The Vostok Intur travel agency will operate the regular bus route connecting Vladivostok and the Rason Special Economic Zone in North Korea, acting foreign ministry representative Yevgeny Volosatov told state-run RIA News Agency.

Vostok Intur, which is an accredited tour firm in the DPRK, was chosen as the route’s operator in May, he added.

The company