Comments on: Friday fun: a DPRK passport

By: Kazuki Mishima

Kazuki Mishima — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 03:04:32 +0000

I think the passports of most nations contain a message of similar phrasing. Look some of them up on Wikipedia if you’re interested.

By: dino

dino — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:33:48 +0000

Language on the US passport is similar, but also includes French (as per UN convention choice of languages; I believe that in addition to the native language, either English or French must be used–the US’ native language being English, they had to add French).

My US passport reads:

“The Secretary of State of the United States of America hereby requests all whom it may concern to permit the citizen/national of the United States named herein to pass without delay or hindrance and in case of need to give all lawful aid and protection.”

By: Inside A North Korean Passport

Inside A North Korean Passport — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 23:46:57 +0000

[…] Courtesy of DPRK Econ Watch we now know what the inside of a North Korean passport looks like: […]

By: Michael Rank

Michael Rank — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 18:15:39 +0000

Interestingly the English text is copied straight out of UK passports which state:
“Her Britannic Majesty’s Secretary of State Requests and requires in the Name of Her Majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance, and to offer the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary.”

I particularly like the way the NKs follow us Brits in using the word “let” in its archaic meaning of “hindrance” as opposed to its modern meaning which is just the opposite!