Kim Jong-un’s regime plans to draft everyone under 35. After the great famine of the 1990s, the birth rate dropped leading to fewer people of military age. For source, the new soldiers are needed “to secure construction workers rather than combat soldiers”
Seoul (AsiaNews) – North Korea has changed its compulsory military service, imposing conscription on all those under the age of 35.
In accordance with the regime’s Songun (military first) policy, the country has one of the largest standing armed forces in the world in proportion to the population: 3.5 million out of 22 million people.
However, the great famine of the 1990s has cut the birth rate, and reduced the number of military age soldiers.
Citing a source, Radio Free Asia reported that “the North's military manpower body has been indiscriminately sending notices to people to undergo medical tests as the body is looking to recruit those who pass (most do) to make up for a drop in available manpower for conscription.”
Nevertheless, “North Korean residents are criticising the military authorities for its random drive to recruit draftees, which is seen as a tactic to secure construction workers rather than combat soldiers.”
Under Songun, the "ideological masterpiece" of the late Kim Jong-il, only children as well as children on plantation were exempt to help in farming. Miners were also excluded to ensure the regime some energy self-sufficiency. Under new rules, everyone now has to wear a military uniform.