North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly issued orders to execute those caught stealing from citizens, as public sentiment falters in the wake of continuous raids by soldiers on property and food supplies belonging to residents in floodstricken North Hamgyong Province.
A Daily NK source in North Hamgyong reported on October 19 that residents have become more concerned about getting the army out of the area than the reconstruction of their homes, as soldiers mobilized for the housing reconstruction are repeatedly stealing from them. In response to these developments, Kim Jong Un has recently handed down orders to, “immediately execute anyone who lays their hands on the property of the people during the restoration project,” the source explained.
In North Korea, it has become standard practice for soldiers to steal food and supplies from ordinary citizens, due to insufficient provision by the state. The regime has failed to adequately supply the army since the crippling famine of the mid-1990s and its accompanying economic crisis, referred to in North Korea as the “Arduous March.”
Even shock troops mobilized for disaster-restoration projects such as landslides and floods are not adequately supplied with basic necessities such as food. As a result, it has become common for these soldiers to enter nearby villages and steal food from the residents, sometimes even making off with rudimentary foodstuffs like soybean paste from people’s kitchens. Residents have little to no recourse against the pillaging, due to fear of aggression from the soldiers.
“Kim Jong Un seems to have issued these direct orders hoping that the relationship between the military and the citizens will not be further sabotaged by the criminal acts of the soldiers. Additionally, it is likely that they (the regime) didn’t want the behavior of the soldiers to be exposed while international (humanitarian) organizations are present in the flood-damaged areas,” the source explained.
However, although instances of widespread military looting have been reduced, robberies committed by soldiers continue to occur in the region. “Residents felt some relief after the instructions were issued but are still spending nights guarding their fields, as corn and other autumn vegetables at the pre-harvest stage are being stolen during the night,” the source said, adding that due to past experience, few residents are likely to lower their guard despite the recent orders.
The situation is further exacerbated by the forced mobilizations at the flood recovery sites, where residents can often be seen napping during their lunch break due to sheer exhaustion. “People are absolutely drained from laboring at these sites during the day and can’t rest at night because they have to guard their vegetable plots,” the source said.
In regards to the problem, some are arguing that what is more critical is to provide food rather than to issue reactive instructions like shoot to kill for robbery. As the lack of food remains the fundamental source of the problem in the floodstricken region, it appears fruitless to try and eradicate the act of stealing if soldiers are facing starvation.
A second source in North Hamgyong Province said, “Residents who are still traumatized by the memories of the flood are now concerned about their livelihoods next year. Given the situation, the duty of the regime should be to focus on regular food provision to stabilize the devastated area, rather than short-sighted propaganda campaigns.”
