Let us imagine you are a North Korean man with a decent songbun, and you want to have a good career in the Korean People’s Army (KPA). What should be your strategy?

First, as you know, almost no one can join a military academy (your main objective) without serving as a regular enlisted soldier first, so when you turn 17, you have to report to the local military mobilization committee.

Consider bribing the commission, especially if you want to serve in the navy or air force. But even if your objective is to serve in the ground forces,