North Korea has barred its citizens from smiling, shopping or drinking as part of an 11-day sorrow period to mark the 10th anniversary of previous leader Kim Jong-il’s demise.
Kim Jong Il governed North Korea from 1994 till his death in 2011 and was then prospered by his third and youngest son, current leader Kim Jong Un.
The East Asian country typically imposes a 10-day mourning period, but since this is the 10-year anniversary, they have prompted an extra 24 hours.
“Throughout the mourning period, we must not drink alcohol, smile or involve in relaxation happenings,” a resident of the northeastern border city of Sinuiju, expressed Radio Free Asia.
North Korea Bans several activities
They clarified that many actions are banned, particularly on the anniversary day itself when even grocery shopping is barred.
“In the past, numerous people who were found drinking or being intoxicated during the mourning period were detained and preserved as ethical criminals. They were taken away and never seen again,” the source told RFA.
They further stated that “Even if your family member expires during the mourning period, you are not permissible to cry out loud and the body must be taken out after it’s over. People cannot even rejoice their own birthdays and anniversaries if they fall within the mourning time period,”
Another source confirmed that a resident from the western province of South Hwanghae exposed those police were informed in advance to look out for people who don’t look to be grieving.
According to the “From the very first day of December, they will have a distinct duty to crack down on those who damage the mood of communal mourning. It’s a 30-day special duty for the police. I overheard that rule administration bureaucrats cannot sleep at all”.
North Korea has prearranged numerous events to honor Kim Jong Il’s life. These comprise a communal exhibition of his photography and fine art, a concert, and a display of the ‘Kimjongilia’, a flower named after him. Though all these banned things seem weird in current days but it’s true.