In North Korea, ordering a scoop of “ice cream” could now land you in linguistic trouble. Kim Jong Un’s regime has reportedly banned the use of everyday foreign words, from “ice cream” to “hamburger” and even “karaoke”, as part of a sweeping language campaign aimed at purging what it calls “Western cultural infiltration.”
A Scoop Becomes “Ice Confection”
According to reports, “ice cream” must now be referred to as eseukimo or eoreumboseungi, both awkwardly long Korean alternatives translating to “ice confection.” The humble “hamburger” has been renamed dajin-gogi gyeopppang, literally, “double bread with ground beef.” Even karaoke machines, beloved across Asia, are rebranded as “on-screen accompaniment machines.”
For locals, this isn’t just about learning new words. It’s about passing state exams. Tour guides in Wonsan a new resort zone meant to lure foreign tourists, are being drilled on the new vocabulary. Failing to memorise the “correct” terms could mean losing the chance to work in the tourism sector, one of the few areas where ordinary North Koreans can interact with outsiders.
Why the Word Purge?
Analysts say the language crackdown is an attempt by Pyongyang to assert cultural independence while reinforcing ideological control. Words borrowed from English or South Korean usage are seen as a threat. The ban is especially strict in tourism zones like the Wonsan resort, where guides are being retrained and tested on state-approved vocabulary before they can work with visitors.
One trainee reportedly expressed confusion: “We would presumably have to use foreign words for foreign tourists to understand us.” But the regime’s stance is clear: even in front of foreigners, North Korean guides are expected to stick to the prescribed lexicon.
A Curious Irony
There is, however, a twist. The new word eseukimo appears to derive from “Eskimo,” itself a foreign word raising questions about the logic of the policy. In practice, Pyongyang seems less interested in linguistic purity and more in political control over cultural expression.
Larger Context
The language rules arrive at a time when North Korea is trying to expand its tourism industry, even as it remains one of the world’s most isolated nations. For Kim Jong Un, tightening cultural discipline may be as important as showcasing beaches and ski resorts. By controlling what people can say, the regime also shapes how people think, whether they’re describing desserts, fast food, or entertainment.
For now, North Koreans and any visiting tourists will have to remember: in Pyongyang, you don’t ask for an “ice cream.” You ask for eseukimo. And when you do, make sure you pronounce it correctly.
