Pyongyang, May 2: A North Korean defector has disclosed the secretive and disturbing process by which dictator Kim Jong Un handpicks 25 "virgin girls" annually to join his infamous "Pleasure Squad". These women, chosen for their physical attractiveness and political loyalty, undergo rigorous scrutiny before being transferred to Pyongyang to serve the whims of the North Korean leader.

As per a report by the Daily Star, Yeonmi Park, a 30-year-old defector, revealed that she herself was scouted twice for this unsettling role but was ultimately not chosen due to her "family status". As per the report, the Pleasure Squad dates back to Kim Jong Un's father, Kim Jong Il, who believed that intimacy with young girls would grant him immortality. Kim Jong Il's idea evolved in the 1970s when he placed attractive women in resorts visited by his father, Kim Il Sung. ‘Now Is Time To Be Ready for War’: North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un Says Unstable Geopolitical Situations Surrounding His Country.

Kim Jong Un continued this tradition, albeit with different tastes in women. According to the Mirror report, Park revealed the selection process involves scouting classrooms and schoolyards for pretty girls, followed by assessments of their family and political backgrounds. A stringent medical examination confirms their virginity, with even minor imperfections such as scars leading to disqualification. Once chosen, these girls are whisked away to Pyongyang, where their sole purpose becomes pleasing the dictator and his inner circle. Kim Jong Un Orders North Korea Army To Annihilate South Korea, US If Provoked: Report.

As per Park, the Pleasure Squad is divided into three distinct groups. One specialises in massage, another in performing songs and dances, and the third in sexual activities. The most attractive girls are reserved for Kim Jong-un himself, while others cater to lower-ranking officials and politicians. Park alleged that the Kim dynasty consists of "paedophiles who expect to be worshipped as gods". Conditions in North Korea are so dire that parents often consent to their daughters joining the squad to ensure their survival.

Members of the Pleasure Squad typically retire in their mid-twenties and are often married off to the leader's bodyguards. Park claims that it's considered a privilege for retiring members to choose their husbands from elite security personnel. Despite scepticism from some critics, Park's account highlights the horrifying realities faced by individuals living under the oppressive regime in North Korea.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 02, 2024 12:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).