North Korean government bans sarcasm and irony nation-wide out of fear of being mocked. (Not Onion.)

[DetlefK]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/north-korea-bans-sarcasm-kim-jong-un-freedom-speech-a7231461.html

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.

...

Officials told people that sarcastic expressions such as “This is all America’s fault” would constitute unacceptable criticism of the regime.

...

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.



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A ban on irony and sarcasm? This is all America's fault.

[Jerry442]

1. Coming soon, to a presidential campaign near you. NT

[Socal31]

2. Yea, that will definately be an effective ban!

[KittyWampus]

3. It's truly a masterpiece of irony. BTW,

Isn't "This is all America's fault" the party line?

And the fact that graffiti mocking the government appeared TWICE?

Is this in the entire country or the capitol?

[DetlefK]

4. Maybe the graffiti looked like this: