In North Korea, particularly in South Hamgyong province, a worrying trend has emerged as enlistment season for high school graduates approaches in early 2025. Parents are increasingly resorting to sham divorces to help exempt their sons from the mandatory military service that looms over them. The context of this unusual turn of events stems from escalating concerns among families regarding the deployment of new recruits to Russia. Reports indicate that North Korean soldiers assigned to fight alongside Russian forces have experienced heavy casualties, which particularly alarms parents. Such fears have led to desperate measures as families strive to protect their children from the potential dangers associated with military service. The aim behind pursuing these fake divorces is simple: to avoid risking their sons' lives in combat scenarios that may arise due to international engagements, especially considering the dire consequences that come with military assignments. Many parents view this act as one of the few options available to ensure the safety and future of their sons amidst an unpredictable political climate. The trend may indicate a larger societal issue within North Korea regarding the perception of military service and the lengths to which families will go to safeguard their youth from combat situations, fueling a growing divide in the attitudes towards conscription and military duty. As enlistment season nears, the ramifications of these actions could complicate matters for the North Korean regime, which relies heavily on military service commitment as a means of control and oppression.