Foreign Affairs
Related: About this forumReality in North from the defection of North Korean soldier
Three North Korean soldiers have defected to South Korea across the heavily fortified border since August, in an apparent embarrassment to Pyongyang's new regime. On October 2, a North Korean soldier shot two superiors dead before crossing the heavy-militarized border. Military defections across the land border between the two KOreas are rare, with the last reported crossing by a North Korean soldeir in 2010, and previous instances in 2008 and 2002.
However, worsening food shortage at military barracks in the impovershied North has fanned frustration among its soldiers, and the North's military appears to have serious lax discipline issues these days. North Korean soldiers stationed near the border are reportedly selected from families known to be the most loyal to the communist regime, to try to prevent military defections that may embarrass Pyonyang. Despite all these efforts, the fact that a North Korean soldier in the front line hints the nearing collapse of North Korea. North has fanned frustration among its soldiers from worsening food shortages.
(www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/1230326/1/.html)
Seedersandleechers
(3,044 posts)post a working link. Welcome to DU.
best2002
(181 posts)dballance
(5,756 posts)If they don't even have enough food to feed the military to keep them loyal and happy I would think that is indicative of a large problem. One that could lead to overthrow of the current regime and possible incursions into S. Korea to raid for food and supplies which could lead to war. But I'm just wildly speculating. I'm certainly not an expert on tensions in the region.
ToxMarz
(2,168 posts)But I would imagine the world community would come to those people's aid after they have overthrown the regime, faster and more efficiently than they could invade the South just to obtain food. The cost would be dwarfed by the goodwill garnered helping rather than going to war with heroes just trying to survive.
EDIT: Heroes might not be the right word, or maybe it is, but everything else if that is a problem.
best2002
(181 posts)I really hope that north korea'll be integrated with South Korea. If not, I guess all Norks will starve to death within 10~20 years.
Scuba
(53,475 posts)jonpaulprime
(104 posts)To get to the food on the other side.