North Korea's Kim Jong-un has banned sarcasm because he fears people only agree with him ironically, according to reports.

Government officials were apparently warned they will "not be forgiven" if they are heard being sarcastic.

Mass meetings were organised across the country to spread the word about the new order.

“One state security official personally organised a meeting to alert local residents to potential ‘hostile actions’ by internal rebellious elements," Radio Free Asia's Korean Services quoted a source as saying.

“The main point of the lecture was ‘keep your mouths shut’.”