North Korea has banned its citizens from laughing, drinking and shopping from Friday onwards as part of the 11-day mourning on the 10th anniversary of former leader and Kim Jong-un’s father, Kim Jong-il.
“During the mourning period, we must not drink alcohol, laugh or engage in leisure activities,” a North Korean from the northeastern border city of Sinew was quoted as saying by Radio Free Asia, The Telegraph reported.
The source, speaking on a condition of anonymity also told that if anyone’s family dies during the mourning period, they are not allowed to cry out loud and the body must be taken out after the mourning period is over.
“People cannot even celebrate their own birthdays if they fall within the mourning period,” the North Korean told Radio Free Asia.
Citizens lay bouquets of flowers at the bronze statues of their late leaders Kim IL Sung and Kim Jon IL on Man SU Hill in Pyongyang. (AP)
“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,” the source said.
Kim Jong-il, the second of the Kim family dynasty, ruled North Korea for 17 years until his death on December 17, 2011. According to Reuters, IL’s death was not reported until two days later by the state media.
According to the Associated Press, a siren blared for three minutes at midday on Friday, and North Koreans fell silent and bowed in respect for Kim Jong-il.
People visit National Art Exhibition on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of former leader Kim Jong-il’s death, in Pyongyang, North Korea in this undated picture CCNA. (Reuters)
National flags were lowered to half-staff and many numerous people were seen climbing Pyongyang’s Man SU Hill to lay flowers and bow before giant statues of Kim Jong-il and Kim IL sung, the founder of North Korea.
Meanwhile, Reuters reported that Kim Jong-un was also seen along with hundreds of officials at a ceremony outside the Cum Susan Palace of the Sun in the capital, Pyongyang, where the embalmed bodies of his father and grandfather lie under glass.
Clad in a black leather coat, Kim Jong-un was seen standing somberly under a large red banner with an image of his father, but was not shown speaking.
Newspapers – all tightly controlled by the North Korean government – also published articles praising Kim Jong-il.
The same report also quoted another unnamed resident as saying that law enforcement officials were asked to "crack down" on all those flouting rules. 'It's a month-long special duty for the police,” the source said. As per a report in Newsweek, citizens in the capital city of Pyongyang were made to bow their heads and observe three minutes of silence as a siren blared across the city in remembrance of Kim Jong-il on December 17. Additionally, cars, ships and trains all blew their horns on the occasion.
Kim Jong-il ruled for 17 years.
'' It's a month-long special duty for the police. I heard that law enforcement officials cannot sleep at all.'
The source also added that citizens groups and state-owned companies have been ordered to take care of those in poverty during the period of mourning, as the country grapples with a food crisis.
They said: '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.
'Residents must also work together to help out the KOI [North Korea's street beggars]. '
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