North Korean soldiers, reportedly driven by hunger, recently attempted to seize acorns gathered by local residents, only to be beaten and left unconscious by those they tried to rob. This incident underscores the severe food shortages facing North Korea.
According to Daily NK, which cited sources from South Pyongan Province, residents near the Jangsan coal mine have been collecting acorns and Schisandra berries since September to supplement their food supplies. During one encounter, two soldiers attempted to block a path and take acorns from a resident, but the situation backfired, leaving the soldiers subdued and unconscious.
According to the report, a young veteran returning from his shift at the Jangsan coal mine was confronted by soldiers attempting to seize his backpack filled with acorns he had foraged. The veteran resisted, and another young man who witnessed the altercation joined the fray. Together, they managed to subdue the soldiers.
It has been reported that soldiers frequently confiscate mountain fruits collected by residents under the pretext of securing military zones in this area, leading to increased resentment among locals. Sources indicated that many residents reacted to the recent incident by saying it felt like justice had been served or expressing satisfaction.
Following this clash, soldiers have reportedly shifted their focus to targeting women and teenagers instead of confronting robust men. Daily NK also reported that, due to worsening food shortages, North Korean soldiers have resorted to looting civilian homes.
Meanwhile, North Korean troops deployed to Russia have drawn international attention amid reports they’ve engaged in combat. On Monday, Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council’s disinformation-countering branch, claimed on Telegram that Ukrainian forces had attacked North Korean soldiers, though he provided few details. The Ukrainian presidential office reportedly confirmed this to KBS.
In an interview with KBS on October 30, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that while North Korean forces had not yet engaged in combat, “Clashes will begin in the coming days.” If reports of attacks on North Korean troops are accurate, this suggests hostilities may have already begun. The South Korean government has stated it will adjust its response level based on the evolving military cooperation between North Korea and Russia and the situation in Ukraine.
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