N Korean elite ‘use cheerleaders as sex slaves’
NORTH Korean cheerleaders who attended the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang are used as sex slaves by top politicians, a defector says.
Lee So-yeon, a 42-year-old former military musician who fled to South Korea in 2008, said dancers and singers were forced to strip and provide sexual services at parties held every day for the country’s Central Politburo.
Members of that decisionmaking group include North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and President Kim Yong-nam.
Ms Lee told Bloomberg: “North Korea’s art troupe came here and performed with fancy dances and songs, but not only do they have to be in charge of Kim Jong-un’s propaganda, they also have to go to parties and provide sexual services.
“These parties are held every day for the Central Politburo.”
Her claims are said to be based on incidents that may date back several years.
The athletes who took part in the Games were also described as “slaves” by Kim Hyung-soo, 54, who defected to South Korea in 2009 with his son, a competitive skier.
“In one word, athletes are Kim Jong-un’s sports slaves. Even the coaches are slaves to Kim Jong-un and to the North Korean regime,” he said.
“Because in North Korea, Kim Jong-un and the regime is the entire world. The athletes and the cheerleaders, too.
“They are all Kim Jong-un’s and North Korea’s slaves. They select people who are unlikely to defect, and people with loyal backgrounds. This factor is crucial from a very early stage.”
Han Seo-hee, a former member of the cheerleading group, told the BBC how the women were hand-picked for their good looks and forced into three months of ideological training to ensure their loyalty to the regime.