The North Korean military is investigating a case of self-harm by a student at a revolutionary school who attended a major event in Pyongyang, Daily NK has learned.
“A female student at Kang Pan Sok Revolutionary School who attended the national Korean Children’s Union conference on June 6 was rushed to the infirmary after harming herself in a bathroom following evening inspection. The General Political Bureau launched a thorough investigation after evidence emerged that the girl had been mistreated by a political guidance officer,” a source in North Pyongan Province told Daily NK recently.
According to the source, a girl surnamed Kim at Kang Pan Sok Revolutionary School was feeling ill but tried to hide her symptoms to participate in the event.
But Kim was reprimanded by a political guidance officer who noticed her poor posture and ignored her explanation about feeling dizzy and having stomach pain. After returning to school, she was visibly upset throughout dinner and evening inspection.
Afterward, Kim left the dormitory to use the bathroom. The duty officer became concerned when she hadn’t returned after 20 minutes. Upon investigating, the officer found her on the bathroom floor in a pool of blood after harming herself.
Kim was immediately taken to the infirmary and her life is not in danger.
Girl allegedly subjected to psychological harm
After learning of the incident, the General Political Bureau sent investigators to the school. They believe the main cause was Kim’s intense shame from being repeatedly reprimanded by her political guidance officer and publicly humiliated in front of other students.
The officer in question is a first lieutenant in the Korean People’s Army and Kang Pan Sok Revolutionary School graduate. She’s the only daughter of a major corps political commissar.
Students already widely resented the officer for her arrogant attitude based on her status as a senior official’s child. She frequently made students do menial tasks like massaging her feet, rubbing her ears, or washing her clothes. Witnesses say she was habitually cruel to Kim.
Once investigators determined students were being psychologically abused by the political guidance officer, they arrested her and began interrogation. They’re also providing separate counseling for Kim and other students.
Incident leads to major changes
The incident has prompted a complete overhaul of the disciplinary system at North Korea’s revolutionary schools.
“The incident resulted from psychological stress and resentment that built up in students due to high-handed behavior by officials’ children working at the school. Eliminating those arrogant attitudes and improving disciplinary methods are seen as urgent tasks,” the source said.
The General Political Bureau has ordered revolutionary schools to investigate their political guidance officers and treat students fairly and humanely to prevent similar incidents.
“Since this is the first self-harm case at Kang Pan Sok Revolutionary School since its establishment, it’s being taken very seriously. The political guidance officer’s ultimate fate will apparently be reported to the Central Committee’s Organization and Guidance Department as well,” the source said.
