The Journey of Yang Kyung Jong

Yang Kyung Jong's unusual military journey began when he was conscripted into the Imperial Japanese Army at the age of 18 during the Battle of Kalkin-Gaul, a conflict emerging from border disputes between Japan and the Soviet Union. Captured by the Soviets, he faced a grim choice between remaining in a labor camp or fighting for the Red Army, ultimately opting for the latter due to the dire circumstances. This demonstrated how desperate the Soviet Union was for soldiers as they were struggling with manpower shortages leading up to World War II. His experience illustrates the chaotic backdrop of war where the lives of individuals are shaped by the unpredictable tides of conflict and conscription.