This Is How North Korea Keeps Its Soldiers from Deserting – It’s More Twisted Than You Think!

The United States has indicated that North Korean troops might be in Russia, potentially preparing to join the war in Ukraine. If true, these soldiers will face strict oversight and intense measures to prevent desertion. Experts on North Korea say the country enforces loyalty with a rigid system, where citizens, including soldiers, are under constant surveillance. Some experts even suggest family members of soldiers are held as hostages to ensure obedience.

According to growing reports, there’s an increasing presence of North Korean troops supporting Russian forces. On Wednesday, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated, “there is evidence” that North Korean soldiers are training in Russia. Additionally, there have been scattered reports suggesting smaller groups of North Korean troops may already be in Ukraine. Ukrainian news outlets, Suspilne and Hromadske, have reported early instances of desertion, citing anonymous sources, though these reports remain unconfirmed. Neither Business Insider nor Ukraine’s defense agency could verify the claims.

The High Stakes for Kim Jong Un

Sending troops abroad is a calculated risk for Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader. His regime tightly controls who can leave the country, but aiding Russia could offer significant rewards for North Korea. These benefits might include technological advancements and economic assistance, both critical for a nation that faces severe financial constraints.

Joseph S. Bermudez Jr., an expert on North Korean defense, shared insights into the dangers for the troops involved. He explained that North Korean soldiers could quickly realize that life in Russia or Ukraine, despite hardships, might still be preferable to what they experience back home. “It’s hard to imagine how tightly controlled North Korean society is,” Bermudez emphasized, shedding light on how oppressive the regime can be.

North Korea operates on a strict social hierarchy, where citizens’ loyalty to the regime is tracked and classified. Often, these rankings are inherited, creating a caste-like system that influences who can rise to positions like army officers. Robert Collins, a leading authority on the country’s social structure, noted that only those deemed most loyal can assume leadership roles in the military.

Bermudez pointed out that Kim would likely deploy only the most “politically reliable” individuals. These soldiers would likely be accompanied by officials from North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party, who would keep a close eye on them. These officials file reports on soldiers’ behavior, scrutinizing their actions down to small details, such as “Are they drinking too much? Are they trying to acquire goods they can’t get in North Korea?”

Additionally, North Korean soldiers are subjected to self-criticism sessions, an intense practice where they must publicly confess their shortcomings. A soldier might say, “I didn’t think of the Kim family 20 times today. I only did 15.” These confessions are designed to maintain a culture of loyalty and obedience.

Returning Soldiers: Rewards and Consequences

When North Korean soldiers return home, they will likely undergo re-indoctrination camps to reaffirm their loyalty. Those who return from battle may also be honored and granted privileges like better job opportunities. Families of fallen soldiers could gain substantial social respect and advantages.

However, the North Korean regime employs far harsher methods to ensure soldiers abroad remain loyal. Bruce W. Bennett, a North Korea specialist at RAND, noted that soldiers or diplomats sent overseas rarely bring their families. “It is very typical for the Kims to insist that at least one member of any family operating overseas remain in Pyongyang as a hostage,” Bennett explained. This hostage system ensures that soldiers comply with orders, as any defection would result in severe punishment for their families. Bermudez added that defectors’ families are often sent to labor camps, which he likened to “a Nazi work camp or a Soviet gulag.”

A Strategic Opportunity for the West?

Kim Jong Un’s greatest fear might be information returning to North Korea from the outside world. Bennett pointed out that the North Korean leader is deeply concerned about foreign influences, even labeling South Korean K-Pop a “vicious cancer.” The regime views outside culture as a significant threat to its grip on power.

This paranoia presents an opportunity for the West. Bennett questioned why the US and other Western countries aren’t leveraging this situation to their advantage, especially with North Korean troops now possibly on the ground in Ukraine. “The question we’ve eventually got to ask is, why isn’t the US and the Western countries trying to use this situation more to our advantage?” he asked.

The presence of North Korean soldiers in Ukraine could offer a rare chance to reach high-ranking North Korean citizens, exposing them to foreign ideas and potentially shaking their loyalty to the regime.