Young North Koreans are bidding farewell to loved ones as they prepare to enlist in the military this spring. Relatives, friends and teachers are sending off the recruits with encouraging words and useful items for their service.
According to a source in North Pyongan province, young people in Tongnim county have been sharing quality moments with friends and family before their service begins.
These meetings are often tender and touching given the uncertainty about when recruits will see their loved ones again. Friends and family bring gifts both great and small and offer words of comfort.
This is part of the North Korean custom of giving presents to incoming recruits. Family members typically give cash; friends give practical items like cotton socks, footwraps and work gloves; and teachers generally give journals or writing implements.
“Vendors carry more gifts for recruits during enlistment season, with some 20 kinds on sale. There used to be a fad for political gifts, such as tools for cleaning the portraits (of the Kim ruling family). But nowadays, the fashion is to give items that recruits actually need,” the source said.
In other words, more recruits are getting practical items for their time in the military.
“My second son received a lot more practical items such as footwraps, scarves and long cotton underwear than my first son did a few years back. Those gifts show how people hope to make his military service a little easier,” said a 40-something resident of Tongnim county whose second son will be joining the military this spring.
The parting words shared with these young recruits seem to be changing as well.
It used to be common to encourage people up for enlistment to “come back a hero.” But that phrase has fallen out of fashion, and now people opt for less loaded phrases like “take care of yourself” and “make it back safely.”
“Nowadays, young recruits will give you a look if you tell them to come back a hero. Highly political phrases tend to be used at graduations and official events, but not on a personal level. The most important thing is making it back in good health, so people try to communicate that when saying their goodbyes,” the source said.
In North Korea, “hero” is a title given to those who willingly lay down their lives for their country, so encouraging someone to be a hero emphasizes a spirit of sacrifice. Rather than pressuring people with such language, North Koreans would rather convey their down-to-earth hope that recruits will stay safe and healthy.
“Enlistment is a time when recruits have plenty to worry about, including where they will be sent and what hardships await them. In that respect, giving practical items and sharing heartfelt words is a big source of comfort,” the source said.
March 14, 2025 at 04:00AM
by DailyNK(North Korean Media)