Kim Jong-un frequently surrounded by heavily armed bodyguards in recent appearances

The North Korean government has reportedly seen a significant increase in armed desertions, with some cases involving soldiers fleeing with rifles and thousands of rounds of ammunition, according to the South Korean government sources.

Analysts suggest that Kim Jong-un’s recent order to distribute military food reserves to civilians has left soldiers starving, leading to a growing wave of defections.

Speculation is mounting that this situation is why Kim has been frequently seen surrounded by heavily armed bodyguards in recent appearances. Reports indicate that these bodyguards, armed with rifles pointed toward the ground, have been present even during military training exercises.

During a live-fire drill, North Korean soldiers were seen lying on the ground while Kim’s security team, fully armed and ready to fire, stood watch. Experts believe the heightened security measures are due to Kim Jong-un’s lack of trust in his own troops, even when visiting elite special forces units.

On September 30, a government official told TV Chosun, “The number of armed desertions in North Korea has surged, with cases of soldiers fleeing with rifles and thousands of rounds of ammunition.”

In response to this rising threat, Kim’s regime has increased the visibility of his heavily armed security detail. Authorities believe the root of this discontent stems from Kim’s directive to allocate military food supplies to civilians, which has deepened dissatisfaction within the ranks.

A recent defector, a North Korean sergeant who crossed into South Korea’s Goseong County last month, reportedly told investigators, “I came because I was starving.”

There have been increasing reports of North Korean soldiers robbing civilian homes due to food shortages, with civilians expressing growing distress over the situation. On September 27, Daily NK reported, citing a source in Yanggang Province, “There has been a rise in theft by soldiers targeting households in Hyesan, making life even more difficult for already struggling residents.”

North Korean soldiers have been going door-to-door, stealing not only food but also household goods, leaving residents terrified. Armed with knives, soldiers have struck fear into civilians, making them too frightened to intervene.

In one neighborhood in Hyesan, 10 homes were robbed in a single night on September 20, with thieves taking everything from cooking pots to clothing and even rice that had been prepared for the next day’s meals.

A source described the dire situation, saying, “People’s lives are so tough right now that they dread waking up in the morning. With the surge in thefts, residents’ suffering is immeasurable. Even when thieves are caught, they are armed with knives, so people are too scared to say a word and simply watch as they are robbed.”

In rural areas outside of Hyesan, where many households raise livestock, there has also been a spike in reports of stolen animals, including pigs, dogs, and chickens.

“Soldiers stealing livestock has become a frequent occurrence,” one source said. “For families who rely on their livestock for survival, losing them means losing their livelihood overnight.”

During North Korea’s so-called “Arduous March” in the 1990s and early 2000s, a severe famine also led to widespread reports of soldiers raiding civilian homes for food. While this practice had subsided for a time, the recent resurgence of these thefts has sparked growing fear and unease among residents.

BY YOUNGNAM KIM, SUYOUNG HA [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]