North Korea banned laughing on tenth anniversary of Kim Jong Il's death
Photo: Danish Siddiqui / Reuters
North Koreans were banned from laughing, celebrating birthdays, burying loved ones and drinking alcohol in connection with the 11-day mourning on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the death of former DPRK leader Kim Jong Il. It is reported by RFA.
A resident of the northeastern border town of Sinuiju told RFA that the authorities have banned citizens from spending leisure time and shopping. The source added that those people who were caught in a state of alcoholic intoxication during last year's mourning days were arrested. “They were viewed as ideological criminals. They were taken away and were never seen again, ”he said.
“Even if a member of your family dies during mourning, you are not allowed to cry loudly, and the body must be taken out after it is over. People cannot even celebrate their own birthdays if they fall into mourning, ”the newspaper said.
A resident of the southwestern province of South Hwanghae told the service that during the mourning period, the authorities have organized a special police unit that will “crack down on those who harm the mood of collective mourning.” Also, North Koreans are obliged to help the homeless. “Businesses are responsible for collecting food for residents and employees who cannot come to work due to lack of food,” the source said.
Kim Jong Il took over the leadership of the DPRK after the death of his father Kim Il Sung in 1994. He ruled the country until his death in 2011, when he was succeeded by his son, current leader Kim Jong-un.
The period of Kim Jong Il's rule coincided with the most difficult period in the country's history. It is commonly called the “Difficult Campaign” – a period of economic crisis and terrible famine in the 1990s. According to various estimates, the crisis claimed up to three million lives.
