North Korea is sending a 230-member all-female cheerleading squad to the Olympics in South Korea. Some observers are using the term “army of beauties” to describe the group. North Koreans who fled the country have mixed feelings about the cheerleaders. These defectors say the women will promote an image of the North that is not real. But they also say they hope the group can help expand ties between North and South Koreans. The cheerleaders are good-looking and relatively tall women, over 160 centimeters. They were chosen from North Korea’s top universities and do not have any family members who live outside the country. The most famous former cheerleader is Ri Sol Ju, the wife of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Before they go to South Korea, the cheerleaders are trained to remain loyal to the North Korean government and its leadership.
