Pyongyang –
Leader North Korea (Jewelry) Kim Jong Un ordered its citizens not to laugh for 11 days. What is it?
The order was delivered Kim Jong Un to celebrate 11 days of mourning on the 10th anniversary of the death of former leader Kim Jong Il on December 17.
Kim Jong Il succeeded his father, national founder Kim Il Sung, when senior Kim died in 1994. He ruled the country until his death in 2011 and was later succeeded by his son, North Korea’s current leader, Kim Jong-Un.
Kim Jong Il’s reign coincided with one of the darkest periods in North Korean history, the 1994-1998 famine. Severe famine at that time is estimated to have killed millions of North Koreans.
According to sources in North Korea as reported by Radio Free Asia, Thursday (16/12/2021), all citizens are prohibited from showing anything other than solemnity in public to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Kim Jong Il’s death.
“During the mourning period, we must not drink alcohol, laugh or engage in recreational activities,” a resident of the northeastern border town of Sinuiju across the Yalu River from Dandong China told Radio Free Asia (RFA).
The source said grocery shopping was also prohibited on the anniversary itself.
“In the past many people caught drinking or drunkenness during the mourning period were arrested and treated as ideological criminals. They were taken away and never seen again,” the source said.
He said if a family member died during the mourning period, residents should not cry loudly. Residents are also not allowed to celebrate birthdays in times of mourning.
“Even if a member of your family dies during the bereavement period, you should not cry out loud and the body should be taken out after it’s over. People can’t even celebrate their own birthday in mourning,” the source said.
Another source, a resident of South Hwanghae province, told RFA that police had been told to be on the lookout for people who did not appear to be grieving.
“From the first day of December, they have a special duty to take action against those who spoil the atmosphere of mutual mourning,” said the second source, who asked not to be identified.
“This is a special police duty for a month. I heard that law enforcement officers can’t sleep at all,” he continued.
State-owned companies and community groups were also ordered to look after the hungry during the mourning period.
“Order and social security must be ensured, so that companies are responsible for collecting food to give to residents and employees who cannot come to work due to food shortages,” said the source.
“Citizens should also work together to help kotjebi,” he said, referring to the growing number of homeless street beggars in North Korea.
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