14 million people in North Korea applied to join the army
North Korean state media announced that about 14 million young people applied to join or return to the army this week
This action was in response to North Korea’s accusations against Seoul regarding the dispatch of drones to Pyongyang and the distribution of anti-North Korean leaflets
Following these accusations, North Korea blew up roads and rail lines between the two Koreas on its side and warned South Korea that it would pay a heavy price
North Korea claimed that these young people are ready to participate in the holy war of destroying the enemy, and if war starts, South Korea will be wiped off the map. The country has previously released similar reports of waves of volunteers joining the army during heightened tensions, although such claims are difficult to verify in this isolated nation
North Korea has an army with 1.28 million active soldiers and 600,000 reserve forces. The South Korean Ministry of Defense has not commented on these reports but warned that if North Korea harms South Korea’s security, that day will be the end of North Korea
