North Korea says that cooperation with Russia on a project to modernize a cross-border railway is progressing well.

The North's state-run radio, Korean Central Broadcasting Station, said Tuesday that the two nations are making preparations to break ground for the railway project.

The report said the project will contribute to bilateral economic and other relations.

North Korea and Russia signed an agreement on the railway project in April. They plan to renovate the aging 54-kilometer railroad linking Rajin in northeastern North Korea with Khasan in Russia's Vladivostok.

The agreement also calls for building a container processing yard in Rajin port.