[1] In 2008, construction was started from Khasan, Russia to Rajin port, including modernisation of communications equipment and the conversion of the standard-gauge track to dual-gauge (standard and Russian gauges), to allow movement of trains from Russia to Rajin without stopping for bogie changes.

The main imports from Russia are timber and crude oil; the main exports are magnesite, steel, fertiliser, non-ferrous metals and non-ferrous metal concentrates,[3] but since the collapse of the Soviet Union freight traffic has dropped significantly.

The international express train 7/8 that operates between P'yŏngyang and Moscow runs on this line between Hongŭi and Tumangang before crossing the border into Russia, however this service is not able to be used by non-DPRK citizens due to chronic delays.

[4][1] There is also a long-distance service between Tumangang and Tanch'ŏn Ch'ŏngnyŏn station on the P'yŏngra Line.

Between Moscow and Ussuriysk, the carriages that form trains 651/652 are coupled to the Trans-Siberian Rossiya.