North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s reported use of South Korean words and expressions in a recent speech has become the subject of widespread scrutiny in ROK media, with outlets singling out the apparent hypocrisy of using such language as the regime cracks down on cultural infiltration.

But while Kim did indeed use terms that are uncommon in the DPRK, experts told NK News that many of the words are not actually exclusive to South Korea, suggesting that reports have exaggerated the significance of the leader’s turns of phrase.