[ti:North Korea Launches ‘Army of Beauties’] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM [00:00.96]North Korea is sending a 230-member all-female cheerleading squad [00:08.24]to the Olympics in South Korea. [00:12.60]Some observers are using the term "army of beauties" to describe the group. [00:21.12]North Koreans who fled the country have mixed feelings about the cheerleaders. [00:28.36]These defectors say the women will promote an image of the North that is not real. [00:37.72]But they also say they hope the group can help expand ties [00:43.28]between North and South Koreans. [00:48.08]The cheerleaders are good-looking and relatively tall women, over 160 centimeters. [00:56.32]They were chosen from North Korea's top universities [01:01.84]and do not have any family members who live outside the country. [01:08.40]The most famous former cheerleader is Ri Sol Ju, [01:13.08]the wife of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. [01:18.80]Before they go to South Korea, the cheerleaders are trained [01:23.48]to remain loyal to the North Korean government and its leadership. [01:29.68]But the training does not always work. [01:34.00]Han Seo-hee was once a cheerleader. [01:38.64]"Leaving North Korea and visiting overseas [01:42.72]is like going to fight in the heart of the enemy," said Han. [01:47.37]She visited South Korea for the 2002 Asian Games and later refused to return home. [01:59.40]Defectors from North Korea are skeptical [02:03.24]about its move to suspend missile and nuclear testing. [02:09.24]They see the suspension and the "army of beauties" as part of a plan by the North [02:16.12]to improve its international standing and reduce support for United Nations restrictions. [02:25.08]Skeptics say the cheerleaders can show a misleading image [02:31.56]of North Korea as a peaceful and happy place. [02:36.68]However, the majority of North Koreans live in poverty, [02:42.24]and the country's leadership has been accused of crimes against humanity. [02:49.40]A 2014 United Nations report documented political prison camps [02:57.08]and human rights abuses, including murder, enslavement, torture and rape. [03:04.92]At the same time, North Korea watchers say connecting North [03:10.80]and South Koreans at the Olympics can be a positive, helpful development. [03:17.69]Giving people a chance to meet face-to-face can break down political stereotypes. [03:26.73]"I am expecting that we will be able to feel the warmth of peace [03:33.18]in that area, regardless of politics," said Kim Ga-young, [03:39.15]who left North Korea in 2012. [03:43.68]North Korean visitors will also be able to see for themselves [03:49.59]the freedom and wealth of South Korea, which has a democratic government. [03:56.21]The reality will likely be different than the image they expect. [04:02.39]North Korean state media often shows South Korea as oppressive and poor. [04:12.12]I'm -Mario Ritter. 更多听力请访问51VOA.COM