Korean Peninsula on edge: 1.4 million North Koreans seek to join army

Amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula, approximately 1.4 million people in North Korea have expressed interest in joining or returning to the military.

Over two days, October 14 and 15, more than 1.4 million leaders of the Youth Union and young individuals across the country have demonstrated a strong desire to enlist in the People's Army, Caliber.Az reports via DPRK media.

The article also warns that South Korea would face annihilation in the event of war.

North Korea has previously reported similar trends, with state media indicating that in 2023, 800,000 citizens volunteered to join the armed forces to confront the United States.

According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, North Korea has about 1.28 million active military personnel and approximately 600,000 reservists. While South Korea's Defence Ministry has refrained from commenting on the latest media report, it has issued warnings about a potential response if Pyongyang threatens Seoul's security, stating that such an act would mark the “end of the regime” in North Korea.

On October 15, the North Korean military destroyed sections of roads north of the military demarcation line along the Kenison and Tonghae lines, effectively severing connections to South Korea. In retaliation, South Korea fired shots in the area south of the military demarcation line.

By Tamilla Hasanova