North Korean authorities are apparently recruiting fresh members of the so-called "pleasure squad" of female entertainers for leader Kim Jong-un after disbanding the group that used to entertain his father.

One source said officials fired the women who used to work at Kim Jong-il's summer villas. They are currently staying at the Koryo Hotel in Pyongyang undergoing security training.

The women were apparently made to sign a pledge of secrecy in return for money and gifts.

Women who worked as maids got US$2,000 and home appliances and entertainers double that amount.

Kim junior apparently shunned the summer villas before he came to power but developed a taste for them and the pliable maidens that come with them when he was being treated for gout last year.

The new recruits are apparently tall and beautiful.