Haneul, a defector from the North Korean military, shares his harrowing experiences of extreme malnutrition during service. He recalls losing significant weight due to a scarcity of food, with his battalion severely affected and in need of recovery. Despite being among the best-fed units to deter defection, Haneul eventually crossed the Demilitarised Zone to South Korea. His story highlights the dire conditions faced by North Korean troops, especially those deployed in Russia’s war against Ukraine.