North Korean 'army of beauties' agrees to cheer for South Korean athletes

Yonhap news agency yesterday, January 27, quoted an official from the PyeongChang Olympic organizing committee as saying that the North Korean cheerleading team has agreed to not only cheer for their own athletes, but also boost the morale of South Korean athletes.

“The North Korean cheerleaders have agreed to attend events involving South Korean athletes. They will attend the opening and closing ceremonies, and certainly the women's ice hockey games involving athletes from both Koreas.”

Pyongyang also agreed to let 12 North Korean athletes join the women's ice hockey team with 23 South Korean athletes.

The appearance of the cheerleading team, dubbed the "army of beauties" of North Korea, is expected to make waves at the matches.

Along with the art performance troupe, North Korea's sending of a cheerleading squad of beautiful girls to South Korea is believed to be a move to soften the belligerent image of President Kim Jong-un's administration.

North Korea has not yet released details about the cheerleading squad it will send to PyeongChang, but Seoul believes it will likely be a group of elite girls who have captivated South Koreans with their charming looks, graceful demeanor and graceful movements.

Previously, North Korea sent an average of 240 cheerleaders to South Korea to participate in three sporting events: the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, the 2000 Daegu University Games and the 2005 Asian Athletics Championships in Incheon.