How bribery became rooted in North Korea’s military and the challenges of reform



Analysis How bribery became rooted in North Korea’s military and the challenges of reform Bribes in the military can be used to avoid punishment or have disciplinary infractions overlooked. Michael Bosack August 19, 2026 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON North Korean soldiers, Sept. 9, 2017 \| Image: NK Pro Corruption in the North Korean military reflects a much broader pattern that emerged throughout the country’s society following the economic collapse of the 1990s. More recently, it became notable when the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) government publicly accused military leader Pak Hui Chol for corruption during the party plenum in June. The matter became even more significant a few weeks later, when leader Kim Jong Un convened a rare meeting of military and government officials and made an example of Pak and others who engaged in bribery and use of government Read More © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. LATEST ANALYSIS 01How North Korea’s newest ‘hypersonic’ missile could foil adversary defenses 02Crossing the Yalu: Why China and North Korea want to open long-stalled bridge 03A decade apart, two DMZ mine blasts highlight a new inter-Korean reality 04Chinese authorities seize smuggled goods bound for North Korea: records 05Likely Russian ship docks in North Korea’s Rason port for first time since May 06Trump doesn’t need a grand deal with Kim, but rather small coordinated actions 07North Korean trade with China rises 3.7% in August thanks to wig exports: data 08North Korea tensions expose Seoul’s uneasy relationship with UN Command

Analysis

How bribery became rooted in North Korea’s military and the challenges of reform

Bribes in the military can be used to avoid punishment or have disciplinary infractions overlooked.

Michael Bosack August 19, 2026

How bribery became rooted in North Korea’s military and the challenges of reform

North Korean soldiers, Sept. 9, 2017 | Image: NK Pro

Corruption in the North Korean military reflects a much broader pattern that emerged throughout the country’s society following the economic collapse of the 1990s.

More recently, it became notable when the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) government publicly accused military leader Pak Hui Chol for corruption during the party plenum in June.

The matter became even more significant a few weeks later, when leader Kim Jong Un convened a rare meeting of military and government officials and made an example of Pak and others who engaged in bribery and use of government

01How North Korea’s newest ‘hypersonic’ missile could foil adversary defenses
02Crossing the Yalu: Why China and North Korea want to open long-stalled bridge
03A decade apart, two DMZ mine blasts highlight a new inter-Korean reality
04Chinese authorities seize smuggled goods bound for North Korea: records
05Likely Russian ship docks in North Korea’s Rason port for first time since May
06Trump doesn’t need a grand deal with Kim, but rather small coordinated actions
07North Korean trade with China rises 3.7% in August thanks to wig exports: data
08North Korea tensions expose Seoul’s uneasy relationship with UN Command

How bribery became rooted in North Korea’s military and the challenges of reform

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Michael Bosack