Concerns have been growing about the impact of agricultural duties on the fighting strength and discipline of North Korean soldiers, as they are increasingly required to spend more time working the land than participating in military training. This shift in priorities is weakening their preparedness for combat and undermining the military’s overall readiness.
In recent months, reports have emerged from units stationed in Ryongyon county, South Hwanghae province, where soldiers are being called upon to devote significant portions of their time to agricultural tasks, even during the middle of regular military exercises. Soldiers in these units are expected to handle a variety of farming duties, including planting crops, raising livestock, and maintaining fish farms. These tasks have taken precedence over traditional military activities such as training, guard duties, and strategic operations.
North Korea’s military units have long been responsible for meeting their own nutritional needs, and this policy is becoming more pronounced under the leadership of Kim Jong Un. Soldiers are tasked with cultivating bean fields, managing rabbit hutches, and caring for goats. Larger military units are even running greenhouses and fish farms. This strategy was designed to ensure that soldiers remain self-sufficient and that the army can maintain a steady food supply. Kim Jong Un’s frequent inspections of military farms, where he often praises their productivity, have contributed to the emphasis on agricultural output within the military structure. This focus on farm yields has become a key metric of success for the armed forces, pushing military priorities further away from traditional combat readiness.
However, this agricultural emphasis is having unintended consequences. Soldiers are not only missing training but are also spending more time away from their military posts to gather supplies. The increased contact with civilian society, particularly as soldiers leave base to procure necessary resources, exposes them to potential distractions, including illegal publications and media that could undermine the regime’s strict ideological control. This exposure is thought to weaken discipline and loyalty among the troops, creating further challenges for military leadership.
The impact on the soldiers themselves is also noticeable. Long hours spent working the land leave them fatigued and less able to fulfill their military duties. After a full day of farming, many soldiers fall asleep during guard shifts or fail to maintain proper vigilance. The fatigue from physical labor on the farm is hindering their ability to perform essential tasks, like keeping watch or responding swiftly to military orders.
Unit commanders, who are responsible for maintaining military discipline and ensuring that soldiers stay focused on their primary duties, find themselves in a difficult position. The push to prioritize food production has placed immense pressure on commanders, as they are forced to allocate troops to agricultural work instead of combat training. With the supreme leader’s focus on boosting food production, they are reluctant to challenge the system, even if it means sacrificing military preparedness.
This situation has led to growing dissatisfaction among the soldiers. Many have expressed frustration with the excessive labor demands placed on them, feeling that they are more akin to farmers, ranchers, or construction workers than soldiers. This resentment reflects a deeper concern about the erosion of the military’s core functions, as soldiers see their primary role as warriors becoming secondary to their new duties as agricultural laborers.
The current situation raises critical questions about the long-term effects of these policies on North Korea’s military readiness. While self-sufficiency in food production is an understandable priority, the toll it takes on the soldiers’ discipline, training, and overall combat effectiveness could pose serious risks to the country’s military capabilities. As the military focuses more on farming than fighting, the strength and readiness of North Korea’s armed forces are increasingly in jeopardy.
