North Korea Says 1.4 Million Youth Enlist for “Sacred War” as Tensions Rise

North Korea’s state-run news agency, KCNA, announced that 1.4 million young people have joined or returned to the Korean People’s Army in the past week. This mass mobilization includes students and youth league officials, who are described as being ready to wage a "sacred war" to defend the country from its adversaries. This claim comes at a time of heightened military tensions on the Korean Peninsula, with increasing hostility between North and South Korea.

The report follows North Korea’s recent aggressive moves, such as demolishing sections of inter-Korean infrastructure along the heavily militarized border, which prompted a warning response from the South. Tensions are further inflamed by accusations from both sides of drone incursions and propaganda balloon launches, with Pyongyang accusing Seoul of provoking them. South Korean activists, in turn, have been accused of sending anti-regime materials into North Korea via balloons, adding another layer of conflict.

The KCNA report also referred to the enlistment as a patriotic duty in light of potential conflict with South Korea and its allies, particularly the US. Though such reports are difficult to verify independently, North Korea’s claims of massive enlistment echo previous instances where similar figures were touted by state media. Experts worry these rising tensions could lead to a military conflict if diplomatic channels fail to ease the situation.