Diverted military morphine raises health fears for North Korean officer’s wife

A North Korean military officer has allegedly been diverting morphine, a potent opioid painkiller, intended for his army's medical facilities to use for his wife over a period of several years. This practice has caused growing health concerns among other officers' families. The officer, stationed at a rear supply depot in South Hwanghae province, habitually used his rank and position to obtain the morphine without proper prescription.

His wife, who initially used it for headaches, has progressively increased her dosage, reportedly feeling more comfortable and free from pain. The source inside the military expressed worry as she has visibly lost weight and her leg shape has changed. However, her regular lack of medical check-ups makes it impossible to definitively attribute these changes to morphine use.

While long-term opioid abuse typically leads to side effects like loss of appetite and weight loss, bowed legs could also be a result of malnutrition or other health issues. The diversion of morphine for personal use over an extended period has sparked criticism due to weak controls over military medical supplies and lax discipline among officials.

Critics highlight the flawed oversight of medical resources and the failure of unit clinics to receive necessary medications on time. This case underscores how corruption and insufficient drug controls in the North Korean military can jeopardize public health.