Amid tension with South Korea, there is a race to join the army in North Korea, 14 lakh youth applied in a week
In North Korea, 14 lakh youth have applied to join the army or return to the army in a week. This has happened when North Korea accused South Korea of drone intrusion. After this, tension increased between the two countries and the situation went to the brink of war. This information has been given by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency.
According to the report given by North Korea’s state media KCNA on Wednesday, lakhs of students, youth league workers and youth signed the petition to join the army. These people have vowed to fight to eliminate the enemy. KCNA has shared some pictures, in which a crowd of youth is signing petitions at an unknown place.
Youth are joining on their own will: Government
North Korea’s Kim Jong Un government claims that millions of youth are coming forward and applying to enlist in the Korean People’s Army on their own will. This has come at a time when tensions are at their peak on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea has been making such claims about its army in the past as well.
Last year, North Korea’s state media had claimed that 8 lakh of its youth had voluntarily joined the army to fight against America. In 2017 also, 35 lakh youth were said to have joined the army. However, North Korea’s claims could never be independently confirmed.
According to data from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), North Korea has 13 lakh active soldiers and about six lakh reserves. IISS also said that it has 57 lakh worker/peasant Red Guard reserves and many other units.
