The North Korean military’s internal politburo, the General Political Bureau (GPB), launched a campaign on Jan. 8 to eradicate “anti-socialist” activity among soldiers, Daily NK has learned.
“On Jan. 8, notice was given that the GPB’s Room 78 will start making surprise raids,” a military source in South Pyongan Province told Daily NK on Jan. 15. “The raids will mostly target leadership figures at military units near Pyongyang, including their private homes.”
“Soldiers are saying that the military leadership is taking a fine-tooth comb to get rid of any undesirable elements in the ranks,” he added.
The military’s move to eradicate “anti-socialist” culture and ideology among soldiers is the first such campaign of the new year. The effort appears to stem from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s emphasis during a year-end plenary session of the Workers’ Party of Korea’s Central Committee to “intensify the struggle against anti-socialist and non-socialist deeds.”
PROTECTING THE MILITARY’S IDEOLOGICAL PURITY
Based in Sokpong-dong, in Pyongyang’s Sosong District, Room 78 reports directly to the GBP’s Organization Department. The agency is tasked with censoring video content as well as enforcing bans on electronic devices such as computers and TVs within the military.
“Normal ‘anti-socialist’ raid teams are not allowed to enter military barracks or the private homes of military officers,” another military source told Daily NK. “Room 78, however, oversees the ideological purity of the military, so soldiers are very afraid of raids conducted by them.”
Agents from the Room 78 burst in the homes of army corps commanders or political committee members unannounced, the source said, adding that “There are rumors that they are so feared that military officers find themselves standing at attention [during raids].”
Agents from Room 78 never accept bribes to cover up transgressions, multiple Daily NK sources said. Agents with the agency are so uncompromising that soldiers are rumored to say that “not getting caught is the only way to survive.”
THE ELITE OF THE ELITE
According to Daily NK sources, Room 78 is headed by a soldier with the rank of “senior colonel.” A colonel leads the office’s Inspection Department, while another colonel oversees the Internal Affairs Department.
There are 15 lieutenant-colonels who participate in raids. Most of them have graduated from Kim Il Sung University of Politics, Kim Hyok Security University, or from a computer science department at one of the country’s elite universities.
Sources told Daily NK that the lieutenant-colonels were given their positions only after undergoing an intense selection process while working at low-level military posts.
*Translated by Violet Kim
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