On October 16, North Korea declared its intention to retaliate against South Korea, alleging that drones were sent to Pyongyang to distribute anti-North Korean leaflets. The regime claims that young people across the country are rushing to voluntarily enlist in response.
In a front-page article, the Workers’ Party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported that “the will to annihilate the scum of the ROK [South Korea] who violated its inviolable sovereignty and security” is overflowing throughout the country.
According to the report, more than 1.4 million young North Koreans have signed enlistment or reenlistment petitions from October 14 to 15.
The article further added that these youth are determined to “show the madmen who recklessly provoke us what a real war and fiery destruction feel like.”
The article added, “If a war breaks out, the ROK will be wiped off the map. As it wants a war, we are willing to put an end to its existence.”
North Korea has often used external threats from countries like the U.S. and South Korea to rally domestic unity, regularly reporting on mass enlistments through state-controlled media during times of heightened tension.
Rodong Sinmun also featured multiple articles claiming that the fury of North Korean citizens over the alleged drone intrusion is being channeled into their agricultural work, leading to productive outcomes.
BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
