Reports indicate that North Korean soldiers recently tried to confiscate acorns gathered by residents on a nearby mountain but were beaten unconscious by the locals in response.
Daily NK Reports on Acorn Robbery Incident, Citing Inside Sources
According to the North Korea-focused media outlet Daily NK, citing a source from South Pyongan Province, acorn and schisandra berry gathering has been in full swing around the Jangsan Coal Mine area since mid-September. In mid-October, two soldiers attempted to block a path to seize acorns from residents, but the encounter ended with the soldiers being overpowered and left unconscious.
The source shared that a young coal miner coming down from the mountain after his night shift encountered two soldiers who tried to take his backpack filled with acorns. He resisted, and another young man who had experienced a similar confrontation with soldiers earlier joined in. Together, they managed to knock out the soldiers.
The source explained, “Every year, locals near the Jangsan Coal Mine gather fruits and medicinal herbs from the mountains to supplement their livelihood. And each year, soldiers from the People’s Army show up and attempt to harass or ‘tobi’ the residents.” The term tobi is commonly used in North Korea to refer to soldiers who act like bandits, harassing civilians.
He continued, “If this area is restricted, soldiers should prevent access from the start. Instead, they block the way when people are coming down, taking their backpacks and collecting fruits. Frustration among locals has been growing; this time, residents chose to fight back.”
Residents Beating Soldiers – A Rare Incident Quickly Spreads Across North Korean Society
The news of locals overpowering soldiers quickly spread, capturing public attention. While it’s common for soldiers to intimidate civilians, it’s rare for the roles to reverse, making this case a popular topic. Some residents reportedly felt a sense of relief and satisfaction.
The source noted, “As far as I know, this incident wasn’t officially reported within the military. It seems the soldiers are now searching for the locals involved, likely planning to seek revenge.”
Following the incident, reports suggest that soldiers in the area have shifted tactics, avoiding confrontations with strong male residents and instead targeting women and younger teenagers in their continued acts of extortion.
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