North Korean citizen have been banned by the state authorities from laughing and drinking, as reported by Daily Mail. ayokinews.com reports
The new executive order also prohibits North Koreans from drinking alcohol for 11 days to mark the 10th anniversary of their former leader Kim Jong Il’s death.
According to the report, North Koreans were prohibited from showing any form of happiness as they commemorates the death of their former leader.
Kim Jong Il was the Supreme Leader of North Korea from 1994 – 2011, and was then succeeded by his third and youngest son, current leader Kim Jong Un.
Now, 10-years after Kim Jong ll death, North Koreans are being forced to observe the 11-day period of national mourning, a situation which they are not allowed to laugh or drink alcohol.
“During the mourning period, we must not drink alcohol, laugh or engage in leisure activities”, a North Korean citizen from the northeastern border city of Sinuiju told Radio Free Asia (RFA).
The source also revealed that North Koreans are also prohibited from going for grocery shopping on December 17, the anniversary of Kim Jong Il’s death.
The source added: “In the past many people who were caught drinking or being intoxicated during the mourning period were arrested and treated as ideological criminals. They were taken away and never seen again.”
“Even if your family member dies during the mourning period, you are not allowed to cry out loud and the body must be taken out after it’s over. People cannot even celebrate their own birthdays if they fall within the mourning period.”
In December 17, 2011, then Supreme Leader, Kim Jong Il died of a heart attack at the age of 69 after ruling the country for 17-years in a brutal and repressive dictatorship style.
While the annual mourning period for Kim Jong Il anniversary is usually 10-days, this year is to be celebrated for 11-days to mark the 10th anniversary of his death.
