North Korea's Justified 'Deployment Family Quarantine' [Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club]

NIS: "Family Group Quarantine for Effective Control"
Possibility of Public Sentiment Turmoil and Desertion Prevention in Case of Casualties

North Korea's isolation of the families of soldiers deployed to Russia has drawn attention to its intentions. Internally, this is interpreted as a measure to prevent leaks about the deployment and to stop desertion among the deployed troops.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 23rd, during an emergency briefing of the National Assembly Intelligence Committee, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) stated regarding North Korea's deployment of special operations forces known as the "Storm Corps" to Russia, "To prevent internal unrest, the families of the deployed soldiers are being isolated separately," adding, "Although North Korean authorities are not disclosing any related information externally, since the deployment began, the fact that the 'Storm Corps' has been sent to Russia has been spreading among residents."

It continued, "There are even reports that the families of the selected soldiers have been crying so much that their faces have been severely affected," and "Accordingly, North Korean authorities have been detected to be relocating and isolating these families collectively to a certain location to enforce strict secrecy and more effectively control and manage the families of the deployed soldiers."

NIS: Many casualties expected if combat participation occurs

The NIS said, "Russian instructors involved in military training evaluate that while North Korean soldiers have excellent physical strength and morale, they lack understanding of modern warfare such as drone attacks, and it is expected that many casualties will occur if they are deployed to the front lines."

If casualties occur among the North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia, there is a high possibility of internal public sentiment becoming unsettled. Amid chronic economic difficulties and last summer's floods, residents are facing serious livelihood issues, and news of large-scale deployment to a foreign country could fuel internal dissatisfaction. In particular, the North Korean military is expected to be deployed to the front lines, such as the Kursk battlefield occupied by Ukraine due to Russia's manpower shortage, where many casualties could occur, potentially heightening fear and anxiety among North Korean residents.

North Korea launches ideological campaign targeting residents through media

North Korea has also begun cracking down on this. On the 24th, the Workers' Party organ Rodong Sinmun published an article titled "Humble Deportment Enhances Personality," stating, "People who speak recklessly without culture or morality and behave without manners inevitably become despicable individuals who disrupt social and collective harmony and unity." The newspaper further urged, "One must dress neatly and maintain proper facial expressions and posture," adding, "If one approaches others with a sullen face, unpleasant expression, or improper posture, it causes discomfort to others and interferes with work and daily life."

It is known that internal public sentiment has been unsettled following North Korea's recent decision to deploy troops to Russia, and concerned about this, North Korean authorities appear to have launched an ideological campaign to regulate residents' speech, facial expressions, and demeanor.

The National Intelligence Service revealed to the National Assembly Intelligence Committee the previous day, "North Korean authorities have been detected to be relocating and isolating the families of deployed soldiers collectively to a certain location to enforce strict secrecy and more effectively control and manage them."

Family isolation is a measure to prevent desertion of North Korean soldiers

This may also be a measure to prevent desertion among the deployed North Korean soldiers. The intention is to relocate the families separately and hold them as a kind of hostage. Earlier, a senior Ukrainian military official stated in an interview with the media, "We have received intelligence that 18 North Korean soldiers deserted at a point about 7 km northwest from the Ukraine border between Russia's Bryansk and Kursk regions."

Even if North Korean soldiers return from deployment, problems may arise. There is a possibility that external information and culture could be introduced into North Korea through the soldiers. In particular, attention should be paid to the spread of Korean Wave (Hallyu) among the Jangmadang generation (those born after the 1980s). North Korea has recently enacted several laws to crack down on 'external trends' over the past 3 to 4 years, which is interpreted as a response to the influx of South Korean and other external cultures awakening values of freedom and human rights among North Korea's younger generation, naturally increasing their resentment toward the regime.