North Korea has universal conscription for males and selective conscription for females with many pre- and post-service requirements
Article 86 of the North Korean Constitution states: "National defence is the supreme duty and honour of citizens. Citizens shall defend the country and serve in the armed forces as required by law."
KPA soldiers serve a minimum of 10 years of military service in the KPA, which also runs its own factories, farms and trading arms.
What with; "Every woman was given a small set of drawers in which to store their uniforms. On top of those drawers each kept two framed photographs. One was of North Korea's founder Kim Il-sung. The second was of his now deceased heir, Kim Jong-il." - for seven years of their lives!
It makes George Orwell's "1984" sound like a tiptoe through the tulips.
I keep thinking of that NK soldier who defected a week or so ago. he was shot and injured by his former colleagues. The doctors in S korea who were looking after him discovered that his innards were full of parasites. (Tapeworms ? Worse ?) which says a lot for the sort of food they were being given. You'd think the armed forces might get the best food ( after the self-appointed aristocracy, of course) So what on earth do you imagine ordinary people get to eat ?