'Hello? Is it You, Comrade?' North Korea Publishes Mobile Phone Etiquette Guidelines

A North Korean cultural magazine has issued guidelines on how to be polite and proper when using a mobile phone.

The unnamed quarterly magazine was obtained by South Korean news agency, Yonhap. The article, entitled Language Etiquette in Phone Conversations, aims to teach mobile phone users how to be polite and respect others when using their devices.

The North Korean government, which controls all aspects of the media, is believed to be behind the guidelines, as the use of mobile phones is increasing in the country.

"As mobile phones are being used increasingly in today's society, there has been a tendency among some people to neglect proper phone etiquette," a section from the piece reads.

The article stresses the importance of introducing oneself, despite the presence of each other's names on the mobile phone screen.

"On mobile phones, unlike on land lines, conversations usually take place with knowledge of the other person. However, even in such cases, one must not neglect to introduce oneself or offer greetings," the article says.

It also offers suggestions on how to remind someone of their manners if they fail to greet you properly.

If the receiver of the call does not introduce themselves when answering the phone, the caller should prompt him with something along the lines of "Hello? Is it you, comrade Yeong-cheol?"

The guidelines emphasise that not only should the recipient introduce themselves, but they should also acknowledge that they know who is calling them.

Otherwise, the magazine states, the caller must go through the inconvenience of introducing themselves.

A more sensible point the article makes is that speaking loudly or arguing in public is inconsiderate, and the guidelines urge people to have quiet conversations or move away from other people.

An estimated 2.5 million people in North Korea use the country's Koryolink mobile network, just 10% of the population.

According to a BBC News story last year, mobile phones in the country cost around £100 ($162) for a simple phone and £250 ($406) for the latest smartphone. The average wage for a North Korean is about £580 ($943) a year.

Contact with the outside world is strictly prohibited, and the government blocks international calls and calls to any foreigners who are in the country.