The North Korean XII Corps(제 12군단) is a formation of the Korean People's Army Ground Force[1] established in 2010.[2]
The XII Corps is a reserve infantry corps, deployed near the Korean-Chinese border, including the Ryanggang Province. Its tasks include managing the local territorial forces, homeland defence and internal security.[3]
In January 2019, sources in Ryanggang province reported that the soldiers of XII Corps are notorious for being malnourished and undisciplined and because of this the corp is privately called by the locals as "beggar corps" or "Makhno corps". They have been known to resort to begging and theft to sustain themselves, particularly during the winter. Desertion rates within the corps are also reportedly particularly high.[4][5]
See also
References
- ^ Keck, Zachary (August 22, 2014). "North Korea Militarizes China Border?". The Diplomat. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
- ^ "CHINA-NORTH KOREA: BORDER MILITARY DEPLOYMENTS". CCAS. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
- ^ "NightWatch 20140819". KGS. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
- ^ Ha, Yoon Ah. "12th Military Corps in Ryanggang Province earns "army of beggars" label among locals". Daily NK. Unification Media Group. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
- ^ "북한 양강도 12군단, 주민들 사이에서 '거지군대'로 불려". Daily NK.