North Korea orders parents to give their children patriotic names including ‘bomb’ and ‘gun’

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North Korea orders parents to name their children ‘bomb’, ‘gun’, ‘satellite’ or other suitably ‘patriotic’ words

  • North Korea is ordering parents to give their children patriotic names 
  • Clamping down on names such as A Ri (loved ones) which end on soft vowels 
  • Demanding that parents use names such as Chong II (gun) and Pok Il (bomb)

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North Korea has ordered parents to give their children patriotic names including the likes of ‘bomb’ and ‘gun’ – as the dictatorship clamps down on using gentler, more uplifting monikers.

Previously, Pyongyang had allowed people to use names that ended on softer vowels such as A Ri (loved one) and Su Mi (super beauty), more like South Korea. 

But now the country has demanded that people with softer names change theirs and those of their children’s to more ideological and militaristic ones if they are not ‘revolutionary’ enough. 

They want people to give their children names with a final consonant and are threatening fines to those who do not comply. Suitable names include Chong Il (gun), Chung Sim (loyalty), Pok Il (bomb) and Ui Song (satellite). 

Previously, North Korea had allowed people to use names that ended on softer vowels such as A Ri (loved one) and Su Mi (super beauty), more like South Korea. But now the country has demanded that people with softer names change theirs and those of their children's to more ideological and militaristic ones if they are not 'revolutionary' enough. Pictured: Children at a North Korean school

Previously, North Korea had allowed people to use names that ended on softer vowels such as A Ri (loved one) and Su Mi (super beauty), more like South Korea. But now the country has demanded that people with softer names change theirs and those of their children’s to more ideological and militaristic ones if they are not ‘revolutionary’ enough. Pictured: Children at a North Korean school

Speaking to RFA, a resident who asked to remain anonymous, said: ‘Residents are complaining that the authorities are forcing people to change their names according to the standards required by the state.

‘Starting last month, notices have been constantly issued at the neighbourhood-watch unit’s residents’ meetings to correct all names without final consonants.

‘People with names that don’t have a final consonant have until the end of the year to add political meanings to their name to meet revolutionary standards.’

The measure has left many parents angry and they are reluctant to take the step. The source added that they wondered if the authorities are introducing the measure so that names reflect the ‘current era of starvation and oppression.’ 

They want people to give their children names with a final consonant and are threatening fines to those who do not comply. Suitable names include Chong Il (gun), Chung Sim (loyalty), Pok Il (bomb) and Ui Song (satellite). Pictured: Children in Pyongyang Baby Home in 2021

They want people to give their children names with a final consonant and are threatening fines to those who do not comply. Suitable names include Chong Il (gun), Chung Sim (loyalty), Pok Il (bomb) and Ui Song (satellite). Pictured: Children in Pyongyang Baby Home in 2021

They want people to give their children names with a final consonant and are threatening fines to those who do not comply. Suitable names include Chong Il (gun), Chung Sim (loyalty), Pok Il (bomb) and Ui Song (satellite). Pictured: Children in Pyongyang Baby Home in 2021 

Officials have emphasised to residents that names must not reflect trends in South Korea.

The dictatorship describes the trends as a copy of the decadent Western Yankee culture.’ 

Multiple generations of families were criticised by authorities for naming their children with a mixture of Chinese, Japanese and South Korean monikers instead of North Korean ones. 

Privately, residents joke whether they should take old-fashioned names including Yong Chol, Sun Hui or Man Bok.  These are as archaic as Gladys, Mildred or Eustace. 

The source added that residents are angry about the tyranny of the authorities who force collectivism. 

And they asked if they are mechanical parts or livestock, querying how humans cannot be allowed to name themselves.