North Korean army faces a surge in desertion over harsh treatment
The North Korean army is grappling with a surge of desertion. The severity of the problem has become apparent, leading to an increase in the number of military police patrols. A thorough inspection has been initiated in a key unit.
The Daily NK portal reports that the Third Corps of the North Korean Army recorded a sharp rise in the number of deserters in the first half of this year. The magnitude of the issue in Kim Jong Un's most crucial unit has prompted the authorities to launch an extraordinary inspection.
Among the deserters, the largest group comprises soldiers who have been in the army for less than two years. According to reports from the North Korean army, the main reason for the desertions is violence by older soldiers against younger recruits. In the unit under inspection, it is alleged that there have been severe beatings of soldiers.
The first decisions have already been made. Soldiers with less than two years of service will not only be exempt from independent tasks but will also not be granted individual leave.
It was also decided to create 10 additional military police patrols, each with three soldiers—one officer and two privates. Their task is to catch deserters and return them to the barracks.
Numbers of the North Korean army
The North Korean army ranks fourth in terms of numbers, with 1.2 million soldiers. Only the armed forces of China, India, the United States, and Russia have more military personnel.
Kim Jong Un's army has 4,000 tanks, 2,500 combat vehicles, and 1,700 aircraft. These numbers would likely make a much greater impression if 90% of the equipment weren't from the Cold War era. This significantly lowers the combat value of North Korean units.
In the Global Firepower rankings, North Korea's armed forces rank 36th. For comparison, the southern neighbour of the regime ranks 5th in the mentioned ranking. Our country ranks 21st on the list.
