The Jagang provincial police are responding swiftly to poverty-related crimes committed by recently discharged military officers and have reported the matter to the provincial party committee.
A source in Jagang province told Daily NK recently that there has been a noticeable increase in former officers’ involvement in such crimes this month.
“The political department of the provincial police considers this a serious issue and officially notified the provincial party committee on March 22,” the source said.
According to the political department’s report, discharged officers were involved in dozens of poverty-related crimes in March, accounting for approximately 16% of all crimes in the province.
The report highlighted a case of poverty-motivated burglary by a retired officer surnamed Kim, in his late 40s. Kim returned to his hometown of Usi county in January 2024 after several decades of service on the front lines in Kangwon province.
Following a dispute with a superior, Kim received an unsatisfactory review from his unit’s political department. As a result, instead of the typical clerical position, he was assigned to manual labor at a farm machine shop in Usi county.
Kim, his wife, and son weren’t even provided housing. They’ve been forced to make do with a corner of a storage room that was hastily converted into temporary living quarters.
For nearly a year, Kim has received neither regular wages nor rations. The family of three constantly struggles with hunger and cannot afford medical treatment or even medicine for their sick son.
On the evening of April 3, Kim broke into the home of a woman who lives alone and sells rice at the local marketplace. He was caught attempting to steal a 15-kilogram bag of rice.
Kim was immediately arrested and taken to the police department for questioning.
“I had no choice because I couldn’t figure out how to make a living. I committed the crime out of frustration with myself for failing to help my starving wife and sick child,” he told police.
The police released Kim with just a warning because it was his first offense and he had only touched the bag of rice.
The source said the provincial police’s political department urged the provincial party committee to address the series of burglaries by financially desperate discharged officers. The police noted that citizens are confused about why officers who served the government loyally for decades are now resorting to theft.
After receiving the report, the provincial committee immediately held an internal meeting to discuss ways to help discharged officers transition to civilian life.
Committee members agreed that first-time offenders like Kim should be treated leniently and given a chance to reform under party guidance rather than facing criminal punishment. One proposal suggested having each organization support one discharged officer.
“Legally, discharged officers are supposed to receive government support as No. 27 beneficiaries. But the reality is that some have turned to burglary after spending over a year starving in the corner of a storage room,” the source said.
“The government has legislation to care for discharged officers, but even local officials admit that reality often doesn’t match party policy. This impression has been reinforced by rumors about discharged officers committing crimes. People worry that the provincial party committee’s measures will amount to nothing but empty promises.”
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