North Korean soldier deserts military after abuse over cigarettes
A North Korean soldier has chosen to flee his military duties. Media reports indicate that a serviceman named Kim was subjected to harassment and physical abuse by his senior colleagues, all due to his failure to deliver a carton of cigarettes.
Kim, in his third year with the Corps Communication Company in Haeju, South Hwanghae Province, decided to desert. According to "Daily North Korea," this decision was driven by the relentless beatings and harassment from senior soldiers. Kim failed to meet his superior's demand for a carton of cigarettes, becoming a target for bullying as a result. His family's challenging financial situation made it difficult for him to ask for help.
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The unit commander encouraged other senior soldiers to torment Kim, compelling him to perform menial tasks, such as laundry. Any hesitancy or delay on Kim's part led to further physical abuse. On 13th March, he was supposed to repair faulty communication lines. He seized an opportunity to flee the unit undetected.
Kim vanished with a weapon, creating an internal uproar. Officers are attempting to locate him without notifying their superiors, seeking to avoid repercussions. "There’s an atmosphere where newly enlisted soldiers ... must endure beatings and harassment for about six months. But we’re not talking about a new recruit here. This is a third-year soldier in his 20s with hot-blooded youth. No one in that position could endure such harsh treatment without considering desertion," a source disclosed in an interview with "Daily North Korea."
A source from the portal explained that in the North Korean military, there's a belief that younger soldiers should meet the expectations of their seniors. "The reality here is that unless parents provide support from behind the scenes throughout military service, their children will suffer all kinds of hardships in the military," the source added.
Desertion due to harassment from superiors isn’t a one-time occurrence but keeps happening repeatedly. It’s urgent to address issues like violence and harassment within the military fundamentally, creating conditions where soldiers can serve with peace of mind, said an anonymous source to "Daily North Korea."
