Increasing numbers of wives of North Korean soldiers are fleeing the Stalinist country despite its "songun" or military-first doctrine, Open Radio for North Korea said Thursday. Quoting a source in Hoeryong, North Hamgyong Province, the Seoul-based shortwave station said the wives of active-duty servicemen "are bravely deciding to flee the North, leaving their husbands behind, because they find it impossible to eke out a living there."
The source claimed a broker of his acquaintance helped four women who are married to soldiers flee the North in February alone. "They suffered even more severe hardship than ordinary people," the source added.
According to the source, platoon leaders (second lieutenant) and company leaders (first lieutenant) are paid a mere 2,000 won (approximately W750 in South Korean currency, US$1=W1,120) a month. Under these circumstances, it is difficult for their wives to buy even a pair of shoes or a suit of clothes. Lieutenant colonels and majors commanding a battalion are paid about 5,000 won, just enough to buy 1-3 kg of rice.
Despite this the regime has banned soldiers' spouses from engaging in any independent business, so the only thing they can do is tend kitchen gardens, the source added.
Besides these hardships, these women are also apparently motivated by privileged information their husbands can provide, especially by news about South Korea and China from traders who visit military units. |