North Korea claims 1.4 million apply to join army amid tensions with South
Al JazeeraOct 23
North Korea Says 1.4M Apply to Join Army Amid Tension With South
Above: A TV screen reports North Korea has blown up parts of northern side of inter-Korean roads during a news program at Seoul station on October 15, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea. Image copyright: Chung Sung-Jun/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Wednesday reported that over 1.4M youth had enlisted in the armed forces this week amid a "tense situation" with the South over alleged drone intrusion.
KCNA released photos of students and youth league leaders signing petitions, threatening a "sacred war of destroying the enemy with the arms of the revolution."
The Spin
Pro-North Korea narrative
Pyongyang is responding to the South's provocations, and millions of young people are determined to protect the country against all foes, including the US and its regional proxies. The South is violating the DPRK's sovereignty, and if war breaks out, the North will wipe the ROK off the map.
Pro-establishment narrative
North Korean propaganda is spiraling out of control as tensions increase on the Korean Peninsula. Kim Jong Un has once again threatened to destroy South Korea with nuclear weapons if invaded. Both administrations had long said that peaceful reunification was their ultimate objective, but the North is no longer pursuing those aspirations.