North Korea, one of the world’s most secretive and repressive regimes, has been known for its propaganda and aggressive rhetoric toward the United States and its allies. The recent report by CNN citing North Korea’s state newspaper Rodong Sinmun, that almost 800,000 young North Koreans have volunteered to join the military to fight against the US, is yet another example of the country’s bellicose behavior.
North Korea has been ruled by a single family, the Kim dynasty, since its inception in 1948. The current leader, Kim Jong-un, has been in power since 2011 and has maintained an iron grip on the country’s political, social, and economic systems. North Korea is a totalitarian dictatorship, where the government controls every aspect of citizens’ lives, including their education, employment, and even their thoughts.
In this context, the news of young North Koreans volunteering for military service needs to be seen in the larger context of the country’s oppressive regime. The North Korean government indoctrinates its citizens from a young age, through propaganda and a highly controlled education system, to believe in the supremacy of the state and the Kim family. The military is glorified and seen as the ultimate expression of patriotism and loyalty to the state.
While it is difficult to ascertain the veracity of the claims made by the North Korean government regarding the number of volunteers, it is important to note that in a country where dissent is not tolerated, citizens have little choice but to follow the regime’s dictates. The regime controls every aspect of their lives, including where they live, what they do, and even what they wear.
In addition to the regime’s indoctrination of its citizens, the country’s dire economic conditions also play a role in motivating young North Koreans to join the military. North Korea’s economy is centrally planned and highly inefficient, resulting in chronic shortages of basic goods and services. For many young North Koreans, joining the military is a way to secure a stable income, food, and shelter.
So, while the news of young North Koreans volunteering for military service may seem alarming, it is important to understand the larger context of the country’s dictatorship and the regime’s control over its citizens’ lives. The North Korean government’s use of propaganda, indoctrination and economic deprivation leaves little choice for its citizens, including its youth, to follow the regime’s dictates.
