North Korea claims that 1.4 million citizens, predominantly young people, have enlisted in its military to participate in what state media calls a “holy war” against South Korea.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), this mass mobilization took place between October 14-15, with students and youth league officials volunteering to join or return to military service.
These recruits expressed a strong desire to eliminate what they termed "confrontational maniacs and criminals," with their rhetoric directed at South Korea.
Escalating Tensions
On October 15, North Korea took further aggressive steps by destroying roads connecting the two Koreas, severing physical ties with its southern neighbor.
The KCNA referred to South Korea as “Korean trash,” accusing it of violating North Korean sovereignty and security.
While South Korean officials have not yet commented on these developments, Seoul’s defense ministry previously warned that any harm to its citizens would result in decisive consequences. This was reported by Yonhap.
Military Mobilization
This is not the first time North Korea has claimed large-scale enlistments.
Last year, state media reported 800,000 volunteers enlisting to fight the United States.
There are also growing concerns about North Korea's involvement in foreign conflicts. Reports have surfaced that Russia is forming a special battalion of around 3,000 North Korean citizens, referred to as the “Buryat” battalion, for combat operations in Ukraine.
Recent intelligence, however, revealed that 18 North Korean soldiers stationed near the Bryansk and Kursk regions fled from their positions close to the Ukrainian border.
Ukrainian Conflict Involvement
On October 14, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy referenced intelligence reports that further indicated North Korea's involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine.
Reports suggest that more than 20 soldiers, including six North Korean officers, were killed during a missile strike near Donetsk on October 3.
