FPI / October 27, 2022
Geostrategy-Direct[The key to happiness in North Korea appears to be enjoying family life while keeping the regime and its minders at bay.]
With orders from the Kim Jong-Un regime for the army to mobilize nationwide and rumors circulating that the length of military service could be extended, young people in North Korea are reportedly resisting recruitment efforts, with many refusing to enlist.
On Oct. 12, the regime issued an order for the army to mobilize departments nationwide. It also called for the recruitment of additional troops, a source in North Hamgyong Province told the Daily NK.
The source said the order likely aims to supplement shortages of manpower in the military.
North Korea carried out its regular autumn military recruitment in August and September, but then the new order for army mobilization and to recruit additional soldiers was given to departments nationwide, the Daily NK reported.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service had reported that North Korea shortened the period of military service last year by about two years — from nine to 10 years to seven to eight years for men, and from six to seven years to five years for women.
“However, with word going round that the period of service might increase again, many more young people are reacting negatively,” Daily NK noted.
“In fact, Chongjin’s army mobilization department dispatched guidance officers to factories and other workplaces to carry out initial surveys for additional recruitments, but the surveys reportedly yielded little.”
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