“Not just the soldiers but the officers are also discontent… In the army, soldiers are advised not to have conversation in groups larger than two. If more than two start talking they always end up criticizing the state.”
The 4th issue of “NK In & Out” published by the Network for North Korean Democracy and Human Rights (NKnet) depicted that North Koreans are more and more discontent with the regime.
During an interview with NKnet, a former North Korean People’s Army officer who defected to China described the hopeless and desperate lives of North Koreans. “This year, there were some people who starved to death even in Pyongyang where I served, let alone countryside… There is no food distribution. The situation in [North] Korea is hopeless so I decided to defect.”
However, lives of the soldiers in the army were described to be better despite poor salary and lack of supplies. “For every soldier, 230g of corn was distributed per meal. Side dishes included three or four pieces of salted radish and cabbage soup. Officers receive half-rice half-corn meal but side dishes are same” he added.
“Although there were no deaths due to starvation, many died from diseases after suffering malnutrition in the army hospital… When I was in the army, 30 to 40 out of 120 soldiers of a company were diagnosed as malnourished. This year’s food distribution was again reduced because of last year’s flood and even more soldiers will suffer from malnourishment.”
Despite the destitute food situation, barracks had electricity 18 hours a day and every soldier had a bed and a locker, NK In & Out reported. There was even a DVD player in each soldiers barrack which was used for educational purposes. But despite education on morality soldiers continue to rob civilians due to lack of food distribution. “Because of the tenuous food situation, soldiers are always angry and desperate. So it is very hard to control them.”
“NK In & Out” further reported that despite education on morality, beatings and corruption still exist in the North Korean army.
Kim S. (31) who was interviewed by NKnet was enlisted in 1995 and commissioned after graduating from an officer candidate school. He had served as an officer for six years until this May. He defected to China in September and is now hiding in a safe place in China. When asked about his future plans, he answered, “I don’t know yet… but for sure, I won’t go back to [North] Korea.”
