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The Independent
daily broadsheet UK
Thursday 8 September 2016
North Korea bans sarcasm
because Kim Jong-un fears
people only agree with him ‘ironically’
Mocking expression 'a fool who cannot see the outside world' is said to be circulating in North Korea
by Harriet Agerholm
North Korea has forbidden people from making sarcastic comments about Kim Jong-un or his totalitarian regime in their everyday conversations.
Even indirect criticism of the authoritarian government has been banned, Asian media reported.
Residents were warned against criticising the state in a series of mass meetings held by functionaries across the country.
“One state security official personally organised a meeting to alert local residents to potential ‘hostile actions’ by internal rebellious elements,” a source in Jagang Province told Radio Free Asia’s Korean Service.
“The main point of the lecture was ‘Keep your mouths shut.’”
The caution was also issued in neighbouring Yangang Province, sources revealed.
Officials told people that sarcastic expressions such as “This is all America’s fault” would constitute unacceptable criticism of the regime.
“This habit of the central authorities of blaming the wrong country when a problem’s cause obviously lies elsewhere has led citizens to mock the party,” an anonymous source said.
Another mocking expression, “A fool who cannot see the outside world,” was also said to be circulating in the totalitarian state, referring to the country’s notoriously isolationist leader.
The phrase was apparently conceived when officials voiced shock that Mr Kim did not attend celebrations held in Russia and China to mark the end of the Second World War.
Regional media have reported an increase in public acts of dissent in the country of late. Graffiti mocking the government and its leader have appeared twice in recent weeks.
North Korea has taken part in multiple weapons tests recently, in displays of force intended to demonstrate the country’s developing nuclear capabilities.
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1 hour ago
ninurta
When Kim said he was to ban sarcasm, I ironically thought:
Sarcasm.
1 hour ago
AwwShucks
We have to say it, to know what the sarcasm is in it.
2 hours ago
NotRappaport
Banning sarcasm? They're kidding, right?
3 hours ago
Alastair52
As we say in Scotland, hoy, you wi' the mop oan yer heid, you goin' tae wash the floor or jist stand their lookin' glaikit. Translate that!
4 hours ago
Belfastboy
Why do they have to ban sarcasm? I thought everybody there loved Fat Boy, the Dearest Leader of All..
5 hours ago
GiantPurpleSuit
He's now missing and presumed decapitated.
6 hours ago
Amp33
A ban on sarcasm eh? I can see that being so easy to enforce.
6 hours ago
SuperAwesomeNorthKorea
Harriet, what source did you use for this story? Asian Media? How generic can that get? You do a disservice to real NK news by perpetuating lazy journalism. It doesn't help the West by demonizing NK with unsourced accusations when there are real issues out there to push forward.
6 hours ago
helpivefallenandicantgetup
I heard the jail food sucks there. That is definitely America's fault.
6 hours ago
nobby
This is a wise ruling by Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Un. His happy smiling chubby face brings joy to the people of Best Korea. World leaders seek out his advice - why only last week a US Presidential candidate asked for the name of his hairdresser.
5 hours ago
GiantPurpleSuit
I think you mean hair butcher... stop insulting the supreme leader like that.
2 comments:
Thoughtful blog thanks for posting
This wass a lovely blog post
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