North Korean ‘army of beauty’ cheerleader reveals training regimen

A FORMER North Korean cheerleader has revealed the intense training regimen for the famous squad, including the one thing they should never forget.

A North Korean cheerleader at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. A former cheerleader has spoken about what it’s like in the elite squad. Picture: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images Kim Jong Un's sister in the spotlight at Pyeongchang

A FORMER member of North Korea’s famed “army of beauties” cheer squad has revealed what the intense training is like and how they are taught to penetrate the “heart of the enemy”.

Han Seo-hee was a former member of the squad under Kim Jong-il but has since defected to South Korea. She told the BBC the 220-strong group underwent different types of “psychological training” and to go “into the heart of the enemy”.

“The North trained us to have this basic mindset that were on the front lines of promoting the Juche (self-reliance) ideology,” she said.

“We were told we should not be surprised or shocked by another world. In particular the training’s focus was that we should not forget our home country, not even for a minute.

“We also shouldn’t forget that we were there to honour General Kim.”

North Korean cheerleaders attend an event during the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. Picture: AFP/Jung Yeon-Je

Members are selected based on family background. Picture: AFP/Aris Messinis

The former cheerleader said she once met Kim Jong-il but was so nervous she could not force herself to make direct eye contact. She said many of the younger cheerleaders who had travelled to South Korea for this Winter Olympics would likely be disappointed compared to their view of the country based on television dramas.

“I thought every city in South Korea would be beautiful just like in fairytales. But how the people live is similar,” she said.

The North Korean group has attracted a huge amount of attention in the South as they cheer on their fellow athletes at the Games.

When they arrived, the scarlet coats with fur cuffs and collars sparked envy on Twitter, with some South Koreans admiring their fashion sense.

“By the way, I love the North Korean cheering squad’s outfit. It’s quite something! I want that hat!” said one South Korea fan on Twitter.

“I think they are very pretty,” said a South Korean onlooker.

North Korean cheerleaders have sparked huge media interest during the Winter Olympics with onlookers fascinated by their lives. Picture: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

North Korean cheerleaders hold unification flags as they attend the free skating event at the Games. Picture: AFP/Aris Messinis

The squad is part of a 280-strong delegation in South Korea for the Winter Olympics that is the first time in 11 years the two parts of Korea have marched under a unified flag.

The cheerleaders are reportedly the product of a careful selection process in North Korea, screened for their family backgrounds, looks, skills and loyalty to the ruling Workers’ Party.

One of them sent to the Asian Athletics Championships in Incheon, Ri Sol-ju, went on to become the wife of Kim Jong-un.

— With Wires