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North Korea Says 1.4 Million Youth Enlist to Fight 'Sacred War' Amid Tensions with South Korea

Oct 16, 2024, 07:09 AM

North Korean state media reported that approximately 1.4 million young people, including students and youth league officials, have applied to join or re-enlist in the military this week amid escalating tensions with South Korea. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) stated that these volunteers pledged to fight in a 'sacred war of destroying the enemy with the arms of the revolution' and to 'annihilate the scum' of South Korea. The surge in enlistment follows North Korea's accusations that South Korea conducted provocative drone incursions and dropped anti-North leaflets into its territory, actions that Pyongyang claims have brought the peninsula 'to the brink of war.' In response, North Korea has reportedly blown up two border roads and railway lines as a clear signal to Seoul.