Forced to Serve: TRAGIC REALITY For Women In The North Korean Army! Truth They Don’t Want You to See

[Music] [Music] [Music] to this day North Korea remains a nation shrouded in secrecy and control much of what the world understands about this country its society and its rigid authoritarian rule comes from the testimonies of those who have successfully fled often enduring unimaginable challenges to do so but what is life really like for a woman serving in North Korea's military do you know that some people are subjected to becoming members of Kim jong-un's so-called pleasure squads a chilling aspect of life concealed behind the regime's Relentless propaganda what drives these women to accept such roles and

what does it reveal about living under the shadow of North Korea's totalitarian grip life in the barracks is tough with soldiers sleeping on mattresses filled with right rice hulls which absorb moisture and can quickly lead to uncomfortable conditions alongside the cramped living arrangements female soldiers face limited access to basic amenities like electricity and other Essentials before the year 2015 female soldiers often had to resort to using improvised sanitary pads made from bandages due to the severe shortage of proper supplies and the demanding environment paired with insufficient nutrition had notable impacts on their health and overall

well-being being the challenges don't end inside the barracks outside the facilities leave much to be desired showering often means cold water from hoses and it's not uncommon to encounter small creatures like frogs or snakes slipping through the pipes these conditions reveal not just physical discomfort but also the lack of adequate infrastructure for the troops moreover female soldiers often face additional challenges in navigating the military's rigid hierarchy where the needs are not always prioritized what does this reveal about their experiences and how does it reflect on the broader system stay tuned as we continue to explore

untold stories from North Korea and Beyond bringing you insights you won't find anywhere else one of the realities faced by women in the military in North Korea lies a dark and controversial secret despite their resilience and capability the military is sometimes seen as a safer path compared to another troubling alternative Kim jong-un's so-called pleasure squads but what exactly are these squads the origins of these groups can be traced back to Kim jong-un's grandfather Kim lung the idea known locally as Kip jumo gained traction during his leadership and persisted under Kim Jong-il after Kim jong-il's death

in the year 2011 these squads were disbanded temporarily but in the year 2015 Kim Jong-un reportedly revived them so what roles do these squads fulfill essentially this pleasure is composed of women selected to perform various services for the leader and high-ranking officials reports indicate that as many as 2,000 women are divided into three distinct groups the satisfaction team serves the leader and top generals directly the happiness team focuses on providing massages and comfort and a third group is responsible for musical and dance performances during social events when Kim Jong-il came into Power a height restriction

was introduced for these women with none allowed to be taller than 165 cm likely due to the leader shorter stature these young women once selected were kept in the leader residence and called upon to host Gatherings for top officials their service in these squads could last up to a decade before being transitioned into arranged marriages with military personnel after assuming leadership Kim Jong-un initially disbanded the squads reporting reportedly due to a lack of trust in those associated with his father's Administration each woman was given the equivalent of $44,000 in compensation along with household appliances as

a Parting Gift however just 4 years later in the year 2015 Kim Jong Yuan chose to reinstate these squads despite their commitment and strength female soldiers in North Korea continue to face significant challenges the strict regime appears to prioritize control and loyalty over their welfare subjecting these women to highly demanding and constrained lives before we continue I have a special 10-second request for all of you listening if you can help me in any way just press the notification Bell and hit that subscribe button it means the world it really supports this Channel and if you

do that for me I promise my team and I will do everything we can to make this show even better for you deal let deeper to understand about the situation these soldiers face accounts from defectors have revealed troubling experiences where women find themselves in difficult and often unfair situations in many cases those from less privileged backgrounds are assigned to physically demanding tasks such as construction brigades where the environment is less secure even when avenues for help might exist many women choose not to report these difficult experiences due to a strong fear of possible repercussions there

are stories about officers holding female soldiers beyond their official duties or performing unnecessary examinations under the pretense of checking their well-being if these women were to raise their concerns publicly it could severely impact their future including their chances of joining the influential Korean Workers Party being excluded from this party can lead to lifelong social and professional challenges these situations often Place women in position where they feel unable to voice their concerns leading them to endure hardships quietly if an unexpected situation were to arise that results in motherhood female soldiers are expected to handle the matter

discreetly and quickly their aim is to avoid complications as military intervention could mean undergoing procedures that are often described as physically and emotionally challenging with little to no medical support provided however the challenges don't stop with these the dis lary measures imposed within the military paint and even more difficult life for these women life in North Korea's military particularly for female soldiers is marked by a set of strict disciplinary measures and demanding expectations Jennifer Kim a former Soldier shared her experiences shedding light on The Not So Nice environment in their service even a single mistake

by one individual could result in shared responsibilities or Collective consequences for the entire group emphasizing the importance of teamwork and vigilance Kim described the rigorous nature of their daily routines which sometimes involved enduring extended hours in cold weather wearing only minimal attire as part of resilience training in some instances soldiers were required to complete up to 100 laps in full gear reflecting the emphasis on building endurance and perseverance one particularly challenging experience Kim recounted in evolved a resilience exercise where soldiers were instructed to dip their hands in cold water and place them on cold metal

surfaces this method aimed to cultivate mental toughness in the face of harsh conditions these experiences offer insight into the disciplined and demanding environment within North Korea's military it's a place where resilience teamwork and dedication are continually reinforced how do these measures compare to what you know about military life elsewhere drop your thoughts in the comments have you ever wondered what life is like for women in the North Korean military just like their male counterparts female soldiers face days filled with not only military drills but also labor tasks ranging from farming to construction work it's a

world where everyone is expected to pull their weight however what's rarely discussed is the additional burden women carry due to their assigned gender roles leaked footage has revealed scenes of female solders soers working tirelessly in fields clearing farmland and hauling heavy loads of firewood or rocks on their backs they're expected to shoulder these physically demanding tasks right alongside their male colleagues but their day doesn't end there in the North Korean military women also take on domestic responsibilities that men aren't required to perform they're literally called cooking pot lid drivers reflecting their expected role in kitchen

duties once their labor intensive day is done these women are responsible for preparing meals and maintaining cleanliness for the entire unit after completing these chores female soldiers return to cramped quarters often shared with around 24 other women each Soldier receives a small bunk with a set of drawers above each bunk it's mandatory to display photographs of the nation's leaders traditionally Kim Illinois sung in Kim Jong yel recent reports suggest that this has been updated to include the current leader Kim Jong-un what makes this lifestyle even more challenging imagine doing all of this without adequate Food

Supplies or basic amenities reports indicate that malnutrition and poor living conditions are common among soldiers this paints a not so nice picture of what life is like for women serving in the North Korean army facing the Dual challenge of being soldiers and caretakers with little recognition for their added responsibilities yet beyond the heavy workload and tradition roles the introduction of mandatory military service for women marked a significant shift driven by the country's growing challenges in Manpower and declining birth rates the famine from the year 1994 to the year 1998 significantly impacted the country's population leading

to a shortage of military personnel to fill the Gap the government began actively recruiting women however like most Armed Forces around the world enlisting isn't as as simple as signing your name on the dotted line recruits must pass a series of physical tests and medical exams interestingly since the year 2012 an additional height requirement was introduced women must be at least 1.42 M or about 4' 6 in tall but it said this rule isn't always enforced strictly while it's not officially confirmed speculation suggest that exceptionally talented students may be able to avoid military service altogether

before the year 2015 there were still women voluntarily joining the ranks of the North Korean military why membership in the Korean Workers Party imagine the benefits once accepted women were granted better opportunities Beyond military service inside the Army privileges like increased rations improved job prospects and higher salaries became accessible considering the meager food rations a simple bowl of rice cabbage soup and salted radish these perks were undoubtedly appealing especially for those stationed in the harsh icy conditions of pongyang so what do you think about the implications of mandatory military service in North Korea share your

thoughts in the comments when female soldiers in North Korea complete their mandatory military service they often face a reality that many outside the country may not be aware of State arranged marriages the partners chosen for them are usually men seen as politically loyal or Those whom the state believes need a spouse this practice isn't merely a personal matter but a reflection of North Korea's rigid control over its citizens particularly women these state- managed marriages are presented as a social Duty reinforcing both loyalty to the regime and the larger patriarchal values deeply embedded in North Korean

Society women even after serving in the military are expected to fulfill roles that align with the state's authoritarian framework yet the contrast between these State arranged marriages and the portrayal of empowered female soldiers raises a critical question why does the regime insist on painting an image of gender equality while imposing such strict controls over the personal lives of these women for years North Korean films and state run news have portrayed female soldiers marching in perfect formation carrying out their duties alongside men and brandishing weapons with confidence the visuals are carefully orchestrated to present an image

of gender equality and empowerment within the military ranks but what's behind this portrayal according to a study published by the Korea institute for National unification in the year 2022 nearly 40% of North Korea's Armed Forces consist of women that's almost half and on the surface this statistic seems to support the image of equality that the regime likes to present however if we look deeper reports from defectors tell a much darker Story one where female soldiers endure severe hardships North Korea's propaganda machine has a clear agenda on the one hand it aims to convince the international

audience that North Korea is a progressive society that values and empowers its women on the other hand it works to instill a sense of unity and patriotism among its own people feeding them an idealized version of reality that's far from the truth so what do you think lies at the heart of North Korea's portrayal of female soldiers it's more than just propaganda it's a carefully constructed illusion aimed at masking the harsh realities faced by these women in uniform by controlling this narrative the regime maintains its grip on both its citizens and the world's perception yet

while the regime crafts a facade of equality through its portrayal of female soldiers the reality of government control controlled career choices reveals How Deeply North Korean women's lives are dictated by state decisions leaving little room for personal freedom or aspirations ordinary women are also subjected to many strange regulations in North Korea career choices are far from personal decisions it's the government that decides where you'll work can you imagine being assigned a job and told to stick with it for life that's the reality for most North Korean women they don't get to pursue their interests or

passions instead they face a rigid job allocation system strictly controlled to maintain what the government calls efficient Resource Management so how does it work authorities assess each sector's labor needs and then assign citizens to jobs based on what the state prioritizes and if you refuse the consequences are harsh this rigid system deeply affects the mindset of North Korea's youth most grow up knowing that pursuing their own dreams is not an option they are taught to accept what's assigned to them with no chance to chase their passions or Ambitions this has led to a stagnant economy

lacking the Innovative spirit and dynamic Workforce essential for sustainable development when people aren't allowed to explore their full potential the country's progress naturally takes a hit however despite these harsh conditions North Korean women have shown remarkable resilience in adaptability they often become the primary Breadwinners of their families navigating a challenging environment with determination it's a testament to their strength even in a system that gives them so little control over their own lives beauty standards are another rule that North Korean women must follow which is deeply influenced by the government's conservative ideologies for instance did you

know that the types of nail polish or skincare products they use are closely monitored by the authorities since the end of World War II wearing makeup has been not used due to the country's political and cultural Rift with South Korea this restriction has created a challenging environment for North Korean women who despite limited global fashion exposure still desire Cosmetics this yearning has led to a growing Underground Market for smuggled beauty products in response the North Korean government established a state-owned Cosmetics company to maintain control over the production and distribution of beauty items interestingly wearing red

lipstick is strictly prohibited as it's deemed too daring for the values of socialism however some women have managed to resist these Norms by opting for softer Shades that better align with the regime's strict preference for modesty and simplicity these policies illustrate an ongoing conflict between personal expression and government imposed rules it raises a crucial question how does this tension impact women's daily lives in North Korea let us know your thoughts in the comments below as women navigate government imposed beauty standards they also face another harsh reality 7 years of mandatory military service revealing How Deeply

the regime controls both their personal expression and their role in society since January of the year 2015 a strict Law requires all women aged 17 and older to serve in the military for a mandatory period of 7 years this change aimed to alleviate the pressure on men whose service period initially proposed to stretch to 13 years was later revised to 11 years it's hard to ignore the impact of such a system on society but the numbers speak for themselves women make up over 10% of the North Korean military their participation isn't just a matter of

policy it's rooted in the country's turbulent past today North Korea's military reportedly stands at over 1 ,200,000 soldiers making it the fourth largest in the world when it comes to mandatory military service North Korea's policies rank among the longest globally in conclusion while North Korea projects an image of gender equality by including women in its military the reality of female soldiers experiences reveals a different story behind the facade of patriotism and equal Duty lie harsh conditions gender-based discrimination and limited recognition of of women's sacrifices these hidden aspects not only reflect the broader societal Norms within

the country but also highlight the challenges faced by women in a system that prioritizes control and propaganda over genuine equality understanding these hidden facts sheds light on the complexities of female military service in one of the world's most secretive States if you enjoyed today's video please give it a like and don't forget to subscribe to the channel your support means a lot to us click on the video that appears on your screen right now I'm sure you'll love this content comment below about the next country you'd like to see featured on our Channel thank you

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