In a desperate attempt to avoid being sent to the front lines to aid Russia in its conflict against Ukraine, families of North Korean soldiers are reportedly paying over 100 times the average monthly salary to have their relatives falsely diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB).
According to a report by Newsweek, the United States and South Korea estimate that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s regime has deployed up to 12,000 soldiers to Russia. These soldiers, mainly young recruits, have joined the fighting in Kurs with the aim of supporting Russia against unexpected Ukrainian counterattacks at the border in August 2024.
### North Korean Soldiers in Russia
The presence of North Korean soldiers in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict has not been openly acknowledged by Russia or North Korean authorities. Despite facing economic hardships and resource shortages due to failed state policies and international sanctions, North Korea maintains a standing army of 1.3 million soldiers, ranking it as the fourth largest in the world. Additionally, around 7.6 million reserve soldiers, approximately 30% of the population, bolster its military strength.
To sustain this large military force, men are required to serve for ten years, while women must serve for five years. The families of these soldiers are now resorting to extreme measures, such as paying hefty bribes to hospital officials for falsified TB certificates, to keep their loved ones from being sent to fight in a foreign war.
### The High Cost of Evading War
The price of bribing hospital officials for fake TB certificates has skyrocketed, reaching around $100 USD by the end of last year. This fivefold increase in bribery costs is a direct result of the growing number of families attempting to prevent their sons from being deployed to Russia, as reported by sources from North Korea by Radio Free Asia.
This exorbitant sum is particularly significant considering the average monthly salary of a government worker in North Korea ranges between 5,000 and 10,000 won ($1-3). Many families in North Korea supplement their income through the extensive black market economy in the country, highlighting the lengths to which they are willing to go to protect their loved ones from the horrors of war.
As tensions escalate in the region, the human cost of conflict becomes increasingly apparent as families navigate the challenging landscape of war and sacrifice. The lengths to which these families are willing to go to keep their sons out of harm’s way shed light on the profound impact of geopolitical conflicts on ordinary people, whose lives are upended by forces beyond their control.
In the face of such dire circumstances, the resilience and determination of these families offer a poignant reminder of the enduring human spirit in the midst of turmoil. As the world watches the unfolding events in Ukraine and Russia, it is crucial to remember the human stories behind the headlines, where love and sacrifice intersect in the most profound of ways. Only by understanding the personal toll of conflict can we begin to grasp the true cost of war on individuals and communities alike.
