North Korea’s military recently ordered a delay in the discharge of troops in specialized units, Daily NK has learned.
“Following a decision of the military’s party committee on Feb. 15, the military ordered the delay of the discharge of soldiers in some units – including those in tank, artillery, and communications units – for one year,” a Daily NK source in the North Korean military said Friday, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Those troops facing a delay in their discharge will carry out their military duties until next March.”
The source went on to explain that “the decision is in response to recent tensions and changes in the international military situation. The military is focusing on the operation of specialized units, which are growing in strategic importance,” the source said.
In short, the recent decision to delay discharges is aimed at keeping specialized units in full combat readiness.
North Korea’s military leadership believes that the latest decision will help strengthen the combat power of the armed forces and improve the combat capabilities of specialized troops, the source said.
“The military leadership expects [the order] to provide specialized troops with an opportunity for additional training and to strengthen their expertise during the extended service period, along with an acceleration of training of the next batch of specialized troops. Ultimately, this will help to raise the overall combat readiness of specialized units.”
The military leadership stressed that the order “is related to the operational planning of the Supreme Command, which aims to use the experience and knowledge of experienced veteran soldiers to strengthen the army’s ability to carry out operations,” the source added.
Military promises extra support to those facing discharge delays
The specialized units that received the order believe that the decision was necessary to strengthen state security and national defense and will greatly accelerate preparations for war, the source further reported.
“The units consider the postponement of the discharge to be an important decision that could have a major impact on the completion of preparations for war because the military confrontation this year is worse than ever and war could break out at any moment,” he said.
Extending military service is a sensitive issue that could deeply affect soldiers who are scheduled for immediate discharge, along with their families. However, the army has called for devotion and loyalty, stressing that the decision “prioritizes strengthening state security and national defense,” the source reported.
Meanwhile, North Korean military authorities said they would provide additional welfare support to the soldiers whose service terms were extended and operate a combat simulation program to continuously improve their expertise and technical capabilities.
Translated by David Black. Edited by Robert Lauler.
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