As news spreads within North Korea about the military’s deployment to Russia, draft-age men are resorting to self-harm to avoid conscription. In response, the North Korean government has loosened enlistment criteria and ramped up recruitment efforts.
According to Radio Free Asia (RFA) on February 21, a source in North Pyongan Province reported, “The authorities have recently modified the military enlistment criteria,” adding, “This is a new measure introduced at a time when the government is sending troops to fight in Russia’s war.”
The source revealed that beginning in April, when the new draft cycle starts, men with both index fingers missing will still be required to enlist. Previously, missing the right-hand index finger—the one used to pull a trigger—was grounds for exemption.
However, as more young men have been cutting off their index fingers to evade the military’s 10-year service requirement, authorities have adjusted the rules. Now, as long as a draftee has at least one finger remaining, he is still required to serve.
“The word has spread that only those with both hands completely missing will now be exempt from conscription,” the source explained. “As reports of self-inflicted injuries increased following the announcement that those missing their index fingers would still be drafted, the authorities decided to enforce enlistment as long as even part of a finger remains.”
Another source from Yanggang Province told RFA on February 19 that growing concerns over troop deployments to Russia are causing widespread fear.
“Families with only one son are especially terrified that he might be sent to Russia,” the source said.
Desperate Measures to Avoid Enlistment
With military enlistment notices already being delivered ahead of the April draft cycle, many parents are seeking ways to prevent their children from serving, while authorities are actively working to block all means of evasion.
“The original rule exempting those without an index finger from military service has been abolished,” the source said. “Young men who visited the Military Mobilization Department for registration have learned that as long as they have even a single finger remaining, they are still eligible for the draft.”
The situation has worsened as reports continue to emerge about North Korean troops being killed in Russia-Ukraine war—particularly in Kursk, where North Korean soldiers are allegedly suffering heavy casualties.
“Many young men are already terrified of the brutal 10-year service term, but the idea of being sent to a foreign warzone under constant artillery fire has caused even greater outrage,” the source stated. “Some are so desperate to avoid deployment to Russia that they are choosing to disable themselves permanently.”
Public Outrage Grows Amid Deployment News
Public anger is growing as North Koreans realize their troops are being sent to die in Russia’s war. Reports of North Korean soldiers dying in mass in Kursk have further fueled resentment, leading many to do whatever they can to avoid enlistment.
“It is shocking that the government has now declared that even those missing both index fingers—or those with only a pinky left—must still serve,” the source added.
As the new draft regulations circulate, parents of draft-age sons are growing increasingly anxious.
“Now that people know only those with both hands missing are exempt from service, parents are devastated,” the source said. “Those with sons eligible for enlistment are now just hoping that, if their child is drafted, he will somehow avoid being sent to Russia.”
BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
