Rallies in Pyongyang in support of North Korea's "military first" policy often use strong language, but North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the country to practice better language etiquette. Photo by Yonhap

SEOUL, June 25 (UPI) -- Kim Jong Un has banned North Korean military commanders from angrily scolding their subordinates and ordered military personnel to use polite language when addressing civilians.

The North Korean leader's mandates were originally formulated in 2014, but they are now being placed into practice, sources inside North Korea told Radio Free Asia on Thursday.


A source in the country's north-central Ryanggang Province said on May 23 military commanders were instructed to end hot-tempered upbraiding of their subordinates, and the members of the military were told to use "proper language" when addressing ordinary North Koreans.

North Koreans who live without special privileges in the country have been taken aback, not only because they are unaccustomed to treatment that signifies respect from members of North Korea's powerful military, but also because they have been banned from using casual language since late 2014.

During a June 20 meeting of senior-ranking military officials, Kim's mandate was distributed across the hierarchy. He ordered the military to mind their phone manners and said students must be educated to greet their elders, South Korean media outlet Newsis reported.

In November, Kim had criticized the military and said they use low-level language because general public knowledge is low in the country. That pointed statement drew backlash, according to South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo.

Kim also wants to revive a traditional North Korean suffix that denotes "comrade," according to a Radio Free Asia source.

RELATED Kim Jong Un marvels at new Pyongyang airport terminal

The source said it is likely greater controls over everyday language would be implemented.

In the meantime, North Korean civilians have been rendered "speechless" by the sudden and unnatural manners in which they must now address each other, said the source.