North Korea Bans Sarcasm Because Kim Jong-Un Fears Ironic Praise
"This is all America's fault" among the newly prohibited phrases in the Hermit Kingdom.


It's no secret that North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un is terrified of losing his tyrannical grip on the starving "Hermit Kingdom" he rules over. And when you're a third generation totalitarian who routinely executes allies and family members as a means of letting your terrorized citizenry know that no one is beyond your iron fist, there's only so many more things still available to the public for you to ban.
But Kim has found one: sarcasm.
Radio Free Asia (RFA) reports that the North Korean people "have recently been warned against the use in casual conversation of sarcasm directed against the regime of national leader Kim Jong Un, with state security officers threatening that even indirect criticisms of party leadership will not be forgiven."
A source reportedly told RFA that government officials have been holding meetings advising citizens to not get "dragged into internal hostile behavior" by approving of or repeating phrases such as "This is all America's fault," which is commonly used ironically by North Koreans to mock the government's frequent refrain that all the suffering north of the 38th Parallel is the fault of Yankee imperialism.
Another reportedly banned phrase is "A fool who cannot see the outside world," which apparently originated among government employees who were appalled that Kim neglected to take part in commemorations of the end of World War II in Russia and China.
In 2014, it was widely reported that North Korea was so threatened by the scheduled release of The Interview, a North Korea-set comedy starring Seth Rogen and James Franco, that it hacked Sony Enterntainment's servers and released a slew of potentially damaging information pertaining to high-level employees of the company. Almost two years later, those claims are still very much in doubt, but regardless of whether North Korea was behind the hack over a disappointingly mediocre attempt at political satire, it's clear that its monstrous leadership can not take a joke.
Watch Reason TV's interview with North Korean defector Yeonmi Park below:
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This is what a civilized nation looks like, one not living under the horrors of Citizens United.
Hugh, not only are your comments always insightful, they are frequently witty as well, and not only do I enjoy them, I appreciate them. Thank you.
Crusty, can you not read? Sarcasm is illegal now!
That's very kind of you to say Crusty. As always I value your input as much as I respect your intelligence and perspicacity.
That's it, off to the reeducation camp!
Hate speech is not protected speech!
Seriousry, it IS a srippery srope.
Kim Chee or no Kim Chee - that is the question
North Korea is a bastion of freedom.
I think of you and pray for you often.
I am quite happy to see all this comity and good feeling!
There is no possible way to interpret this comment as a euphemism for jerkin' off.
Obligatory.
"I'm so ronery!" ? ??
North Korea! Fuck Yeah!
/sarc Oooops. Prolly gonna come after me with anti-aircraft fire.
Yeah, I'm totally gonna comply with this.
So the linguistics professor is telling his class that in languages like English, a double negative becomes a positive, while in languages like Russian, the double negative remains a negative - but that in no language does a double positive become a negative... to which a student in the back row replies, "Yeah. Right."
Not sure why Reason is running this. As a well-known progressive organization where fake libertarians promote cultural marxism while lying about their so-called "libertarianism", they should be completely on board with anything a leftist dictatorship does.
You're so funny.
Personally, it's the non-stop Trump coverage that I miss the most.
We can only hope that a president Trump becomes America's very own Kim Jong Un.
I, for one, am eager to adopt his haircut.
I think Hillary would be better, but I'm dying to know what millennials think before I make a decision.
*Reason internship materializes and jumps into your pants*
"No, sir. I meant every single word I said."
Irony or sarcasm?
Better alt-text:
"Are you honeydicking me?"
North Korea is pretty much the most evil government on earth. I wonder how long it will be before they nuke someone.
I hope they do it soon. It sounds like they figured out how to build a nuclear-powered earthquake machine. I wanna see that baby in action.
They stole it from Darth Cheney?!
/prog
Can I still use the phrase "This is all climate change's fault" sarcastically?
Do it soon. Certain DAs are working on the "problem" now.
I just can't get the image and voice (Cartman) out of my head. "Hans... you breakin' my balls here, Hans!"
It's not ALL sarcasm... only that directed at that totally fit to rule Kim Jong Un... and he's TOTALLY manly, even though he has a girls name.
He actually does have a girly name. Although to be totally (Korean) girly, it should be "Kim Jong-Unhee".
And it would be much better for the world if he emblemized the characteristics of his name. That, or died a grisly death.
Hillary's trying to figure out the wording on her proposed legislation as we type.
What if you have a speech impediment?
Hillary Clinton is taking notes.
As is Donald Trump, natch.
Great job, Celo Kim Jong-Un! Sooo, good to see you on TV again! I'm a big fan of all your hit song gruesome executions!
What's the North Korean translation for "splunge"?
Sprunge
See... Now I hear that voice from Team America again.
How long before this happens in the good ol USA under different rationale?
CNN: The heroic first female President Hillary Clinton signed a bill banning sarcasm today in a historic first step in righting historical wrongs. Clinton stated that sarcasm has traditionally been used as a tool to belittle women and minorities. "We are one step closer to making America a safe space, cough, hack, cough."
When asked how this measure passes First Amendment muster, Clinton noted that "If it is a constitutional right, then it ? like every other constitutional right ? is subject to reasonable regulations."
*thunderous applause sarcastic slow clap* /meta sarc
There are people today in this country who say that "hate speech isn't free speech." Taking the next step and saying that "sarcastic speech isn't free speech" is just a matter of degree, not kind.
Fortunately, I only engage in snarcasm
This thread, like most threads, needs more Tony and amsoc.
...and shriek.
Tony and american socialist have made valuable contributions to other threads today, which people have been very happy to see.
Tony only gets paid to post on election-related threads
This is valuable, because when you ask people "What do you think of the Supreme Leader?", you can arrest them no matter how they respond.
Catch-22
"What do you think of our Great Leader?"
"Same as you, of course."
"Then I arrest you in the name of the secret police!"
O, Great Leader, you are as wise as your are beautiful!
And your personal hygiene is completely above reproach!
I guess that sarcasm detector is real useful now.
First, they came after the humorous comments in Hit and Run, and I did nothing . . . .
When sarcasm is outlawed, only outlaws will be sarcastic.
"Dude, are you being sarcastic?"
"I don't even know anymore am not." ::1000 yd stare::
I really like all the commentators on H&R! In fact, tonight I'll be having many drinks in your honor.
The drinks aren't needed because of any hatred I have for all of you - no! As I said, I rearry rove youl
Sure, reason will run a doctored photo of Kim Jong I'll. Have some guts and run a pic of Mohammed. Preferably bonking a child.