North Koreans BANNED From Laughing, Drinking, And Shopping For 11 Days

Residents in North Korea must refrain from drinking alcohol, shopping, and even laughing during the mourning period of Kim Jong-il, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported.

Kim Jong-il was the second supreme leader of North Korea from 1994 to 2011. He passed away aged 70 in 2011 and was succeeded by his youngest son Kim Jong-un.

Kim Jong Il/Britannica

This year the ten-day mourning period has been extended by an extra day to mark the tenth anniversary of the former leader's death.

A North Korean from the north-eastern border city of Sinuiju told RFA:

During the mourning period, we must not drink alcohol, laugh or engage in leisure activities.

AP

They explained that many activities were banned, and on the anniversary day itself even grocery shopping is banned:

People cannot even celebrate their own birthdays if they fall within the mourning period.

Another resident from the western province of South Hwanghae revealed that police were warned in advance to look out for people who do not appear to be grieving:

From the first day of December, they will have a special duty to crack down on those who harm the mood of collective mourning. It's a month-long special duty for the police. I heard that law enforcement officials cannot sleep at all.

Carl Court/Getty Images

State-owned companies and citizens groups are also ordered to take care of the hungry during the period of mourning:

Social order and safety must be ensured, so companies are responsible for collecting food to give to residents and employees who cannot come to work due to food shortages.

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