Gippeumjo

Infobox Korean name
context = north
hangul = 기쁨조
hanja = 기쁨
rr = Gippeumjo
mr = KippŭmjoThe "Gippeumjo" (translated variously as "Pleasure Group," "Pleasure Groups," "Pleasure Squad," "Pleasure Brigade," "Joy Brigades," or "Joy Brigade") is a collection of groups of approximately 2,000 women between the ages of 13 and 40 (although most are believed to be between 18 and 25), which are maintained by the head of state of North Korea for the purpose of providing pleasure and entertainment for high-ranking Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) officials and their families, as well as occasionally also distinguished guests.

Little is known outside North Korea about the "Gippeumjo", but information has gradually emerged through the testimony of North Koreans who have defected to the West.

History

The "Gippeumjo" was established in 1978, during the administration of Kim Il-sung, with the first group being recruited by Lee Dong Ho, the First Vice Director of the Department of United Front of the WPK, for the purpose of entertaining Kim at the Munsu Chodaeso (문수 초대소 ; Munsu Guesthouse). The recruiting and training of "Gippeumjo" are currently administered by the Fifth Department of Staff of the Organic Direction of the Party and continues to be maintained by his son, Kim Jong-il.cite web |url= http://www.awomansvoice.org/nl1-2004-2.html |title= Intervention Agenda Item 13: Rights of Children; UN Commission on human rights |accessdate=2007-02-08 |author= Jeong, Ji Sun|date= April 6, 2004|publisher= A Woman's Voice International]

tructure

Each "pleasure group" is composed of three "teams":
#"Manjokjo" (hangul: _ko. 만족조; hanja: _ko. ) – a "satisfaction team" (which provides sexual services)
#"Haengbokjo" (hangul: _ko. 행복조; hanja: _ko. 組) – a "happiness team" (which provides massages)
#"Gamujo" (hangul: _ko. 가무조; hanja: _ko. 組) – a "dancing and singing team" (whose members are sometimes asked to dance semi-nude)cite news |first=Jasper |last=Becker |title=North Korea: At Home With the Kims |url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/EJ11Dg04.html |publisher=Asia Times |date=October 11, 2003 |accessdate=2007-02-08 ]

Girls from throughout the country are recruited to be "Gippeumjo" members according to government criteria (one of which is that they must be virgins). After being selected, they undergo a rigorous training period, with some "Haengbokjo" members being sent overseas for massage training. "Gippeumjo" members typically "retire" at age 22 or 25, at which time they are often married to other members of North Korea's elite, and their former membership in the "Gippeumjo" is kept secret.

Etymology

The first two syllables of the name, "gippeum", means “joy” in Korean. Kim Il-sung is believed to have established this corps of women in the belief that having sexual relations with young women would have the effect of enhancing his life force, or "gi" (hangul: _ko. 기; hanja: _ko. ; no relation to the "gi" in "gippeum").cite news |first=Sano |last=Yoel |title=The Kims' North Korea: "Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader: North Korea and the Kim Dynasty" by Bradley K Martin |url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/GF04Dg03.html |work=Book review |publisher=Asia Times |date= June 4, 2005|accessdate=2007-02-08 ]

ee also

* Kisaeng
* Comfort women
* Harem

References

*Martin, Bradley K. (2004). "Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader: North Korea and the Kim Dynasty". New York, New York, United States: Thomas Dunne Books. Hardcover: ISBN 978-0312322212; Paperback: ISBN 978-0312323226.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,501030721-464475,00.html "Dirty Details"] , by Bryan Walsh, from "TIME" magazine, July 14, 2003
* [http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976812314 "The Dear Leader Unmasked"]