Kim Jong Un reportedly paid an inspection visit on December 2nd to the headquarters of the Korean People’s Army Large Combined Unit 380, raising hopes among the units for increased provisions ahead of the country’s winter training exercises. However, the resultant lack of gifts has instead led to disappointment and disgruntlement among the majority of the soldiers within the sizable unit.
“Rank and file soldiers of the KPA’s Large Combined Unit 380 (LCU 380) found themselves eating the same thing [as before the visit] – a small portion of rice and watery pork soup – during the winter training that began this month. They quickly became resentful of the fact that the brigade commanders themselves were enjoying more substantial meals as usual,” a Daily NK source in Ryanggang Province reported on December 5.
“The soldiers at LCU 380 headquarters are well supplied with state provisions and their families often bring them extra food and side dishes. But this is not possible for ordinary soldiers under the LCU 380 command,” the source added.
This information was corroborated by multiple sources in Ryanggang Province.
According to North Korean media including the Rodong Sinmun (November 25), Kim Jong Un recently visited the headquarters of Large Combined Unit 380. This military-related inspection followed on the heels of a previous visit to a special operations battalion in KPA Unit 525 last month. The visits are seen as efforts by the young leader to consolidate his power base.
However, discipline within the Korean People’s Army is reportedly plummeting, with frequent desertions and thefts. This is because regular soldiers are bearing the brunt of corruption and embezzlement by senior officers, particularly with regards to food.
“Some soldiers have made comments like, ‘South Korean soldiers, who are allegedly eating the leftovers of the US military due to their lack of food, look much taller and bigger than us. How can we win a war against them?'” the source said, adding that many pointed out that the visit from the Supreme Commander [Kim Jong Un] changed nothing for them.
Although cracks in loyalty to the regime loyalty are appearing in the army, the authorities do not seem to be taking extra measures to combat the issue.
“The regime only emphasizes the ideological notion to protect the Defense Command with your life while disregarding the overt need to provide said defenders with enough food. As is a common phrase among the underfed, overworked troops: ‘We wouldn’t have enough energy to repel the enemy even if we tried,’” the source added.
“Some military officers, who are well aware of the suffering of ordinary soldiers, have appealed for proper supplies to the rear echelon. But the authorities respond by emphasizing the need to embrace the spirit of ‘self-help’ and tell them to sort matters out on their own.”
