"Told to Undress in Front of Men"... North Korean Defector Reveals Shocking Reality of the Joy Squad

"Physical Examination in Front of Male Officials, Disqualified for Any Scars"

The Moranbong Band is performing at the congratulatory event for the Workers' Party of Korea conference held in Pyongyang. Photo by Yonhap News Agency Korea Central TV

A North Korean defector has provided a detailed account of the so-called "Joy Squad" selection process in North Korea. She revealed, in particular, that, "we had to undress and undergo inspections in front of men," a statement that has caused shock.

Recently, a video covering the "Joy Squad selection process" was released on the YouTube channel operated by Hansongi, herself a defector-turned-broadcaster. In the video, defector Kim Seoah appeared and gave a detailed description of her past experience being managed as a candidate for the joy squad in North Korea.

According to Kim, she was singled out as a candidate while still a student, when members of the Central Party visited her school and selected students based on appearance and physical condition. She explained, "Students who were tall and attractive were mostly selected," adding that she herself was included in this process.

She went on to say that, starting around the age of 17, she was required to make regular visits to the Central Party offices for inspections of her appearance and physical condition. Although she did not participate in any specific activities, she recalled that, at the time, being exempted from academic studies was perceived as a kind of "privilege."

"Undressed and Examined in Front of Men"

According to Kim, she was among the final group of 10 chosen for collective physical and gynecological examinations at a hospital in Pyongyang used by high-ranking officials. Kim specifically claimed that she underwent a virginity test at the gynecology department.

Wangjaesan Art Troupe Artists. Yonhap News Agency

Kim said, "It was my first time ever visiting a gynecology department," and added, "Ten women were told to undress for the (gynecological) examination in front of men." She recounted, "When we hesitated to undress, a man shouted, 'Hey, is there a problem? Take off your clothes!'"

Kim continued, "I think there were about five men present," and described, "They told us to turn forward and backward, inspecting for any scars on our buttocks. They paid particular attention to our chests and buttocks," which left viewers deeply shocked.

"If You Refused, You Could Be Expelled from Pyongyang"

Kim stressed that it was virtually impossible for individuals to express their own will during the Joy Squad selection process. "Refusal itself is not easy in North Korea," she said, adding, "There was a real fear that if you refused, you could be expelled from Pyongyang."

She shared, "At home, my family worried, 'What if we never see our daughter again because of this?' Even though I was anxious, I couldn't talk about it anywhere," and confessed, "At the time, I even thought, 'If my parents could live well because I joined, maybe it would be worth it.'"

Members of the Moranbong Band and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Photo by Yonhap News Agency, Korean Central Television

Kim asserted that the Joy Squad system likely still exists in a different form today. She explained that it was referred to as "Department 5" within North Korea, and said she was deeply shocked when she learned about the full extent of the system after coming to South Korea.

Upon hearing this, Hansongi commented, "In North Korea, where the internet is blocked and external information is inaccessible, being selected for the Joy Squad is considered being a 'chosen woman.' But after coming to South Korea, it was truly shocking."

Defector Kim Seoah (left) is giving a detailed testimony about her experience being managed as a candidate for the joy squad in North Korea. Screenshot from YouTube channel ‘Hansongi TV’

Hansongi defected from North Korea in 2013. She became known to the public through appearances on programs like Channel A's 'Now On My Way to Meet You,' and is currently active in streaming broadcasts.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.