Accidentally Saying "Jagiya" Leads to Punishment... North Korean Residents Study Pyongyang Dialect Diligently

North Korea Designates Korean Term 'Goerimal' for Crackdown
Residents Fear Punishment, Practice Pyongyang Dialect

North Korean authorities have designated the Korean language as 'Goeroma' and intensified crackdowns, leading North Korean residents to correct their Korean-style language habits and focus on practicing the Pyongyang dialect, according to reports.

On the 15th, Radio Free Asia (RFA) cited a source from a resident in North Pyongan Province, saying, "These days, the authorities are emphasizing the preservation of the Pyongyang dialect according to the 'Pyongyang Cultural Language Protection Law,'" and added, "Residents who have already become accustomed to Korean-style speech are now practicing the Pyongyang dialect separately, creating an almost laughable situation."

It continued, "For many years, residents in the tightly controlled regime only shouted 'Long live the General,' but through Korean movies and dramas, they became attracted to the free and charming Korean lifestyle and speech patterns and began to imitate them," and explained, "However, as crackdowns on Korean-style speech have intensified recently, people worry that Korean words might slip out accidentally and lead to punishment, so they are practicing the Choson (North Korean) style of speech."

The photo is not directly related to the content of the article. [Photo by Yonhap News]

North Korean authorities adopted the 'Pyongyang Cultural Language Protection Law' at the 8th session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly held over two days starting January 17. The law includes provisions to strengthen crackdowns on foreign-style speech, including South Korean language.

The law stipulates that using 'Goeroma' can result in imprisonment for six years or more, and those who teach 'Goeroma' speech or distribute printed materials written in 'Goeroma' or 'Goeroma script' can be sentenced to death.

The source pointed out, "However, the main viewers of Korean movies and dramas are judicial workers and officials who enforce bans on illegal videos, as well as their families and relatives," and noted, "Judicial workers, who are supposed to protect and uphold the regime, are instead engrossed in Korean movies and dramas and spreading Korean-style speech."

He added, "People naturally saying words like 'oppa,' 'jagiya,' and 'saranghae' is evidence that they have watched Korean movies so often that these words are familiar to their ears and mouths," and continued, "But as the Party emphasizes the need to preserve the Pyongyang dialect, recently residents have been practicing Pyongyang dialect words such as 'giraeseo' (so) and 'algan' (do you understand?)."

He said, "(The Party) stated that this is a fundamental requirement to uphold Juche and national identity in all areas," and hinted, "Although people practice the Pyongyang dialect out of fear of punishment if caught in crackdowns, residents have many grievances against the authorities who prevent them from using Korean."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.