North Korea has officially banned sarcasm from normal everyday conversations about leader Kim Jung-Un.
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.’”
One now unacceptable comment is, “This is all America’s fault.”
“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 forbidden comment is, “A fool who cannot see the outside world,” referring to the isolated North Korean leader.
Sources inside North Korea say there has been an increase in dissent from the citizens, including anti-government graffiti appearing in the last couple of months.
North Korea conducted a nuclear test yesterday, reported to be its largest yet. The missile launch came after President Obama finished up a meeting with U.S. allies in Laos.
“We sent out a message that if the enemies attack us, we can counterattack,” the North Korean government said.
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