A North Korean soldier took his own life after receiving a medical discharge order for tuberculosis (TB) he had hidden from his military unit in Pyongsong. The soldier died in the fields during harvest duties late last month after learning he would be sent home.
According to a source in South Pyongan province recently, the soldier’s border patrol unit discovered his long-running tuberculosis infection after a spike in respiratory illnesses prompted medical exams of the entire company.
Officials determined the soldier, in his 20s, had concealed the disease for six years while continuing his duties, choosing to remain in service where he could access medicine rather than face hardship at home.
“Most of the soldiers in his unit were hospitalized with TB, with one returning home for treatment due to severe symptoms,” the source said. “The military unit took the matter very seriously.”
He added: “The soldier had been mobilized to work in a corn field as part of a support team after receiving the discharge order. He took his own life after falling into despair, wondering how he could cure his disease if he returned home to live with his destitute parents and how he could earn a living.”
The border patrol command is now considering establishing a formal health management system for service members, the source added.
The Daily NK works with a network of sources in North Korea, China, and elsewhere. For security reasons, their identities remain anonymous.
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