North Koreans Banned From Laughing As Country Mourns Kim Jong Il’s Death

North Koreans have been forbidden from laughing for 11 days as the country marks the 10-year anniversary of Kim Jong Un’s father and predecessor, Kim Jong Il’s, death.

“We must not consume alcohol, joke, or indulge in leisure activities during the mourning period.”

A resident of the northeastern city of Sinuiju told Radio Free Asia’s Korean Service.

Even grocery shopping is prohibited on the 17th of December, the day of the older Kim’s death.

“In the past, many people were detained and treated as ideological criminals if they were caught drinking or inebriated during the mourning time.”

They were kidnapped and never seen again, according to the source that spoke with RFA

“Even if a family member passes away during the mourning time, you are not permitted to grieve aloud, and the body must be removed when the period has ended. If a person’s birthday falls within the mourning phase, they are unable to celebrate it.”

Meanwhile, the slimmed-down dictator donned his fashionable black leather trench coat once more on Friday as he stood beneath a giant red banner with a portrait of his father, who died in 2011.

As a three-minute midday siren blared, North Koreans went silent and bowed in honor for Kim Jong Il.

On Friday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held a memorial service for former leader Kim Jong Il, which was attended by tens of thousands of people.

On Friday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held a memorial service for former leader Kim Jong Il, which was attended by thousands. KCTV

People flocked to Pyongyang’s Mansu Hill to lay flowers and bow before giant statues of Kim Jong Il and his father, Kim Il Sung, who ruled for 46 years. Cars, trains, and ships blew their horns, the Hermit Kingdom’s flags were lowered to half-staff, and the Hermit Kingdom’s flags were lowered to half-staff.

Kim Jong Un was also photographed meeting hundreds of officials outside the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang’s capital.

Choe Ryong Hae, a North Korean official, referred to Kim Jong Il, the country’s 17-year leader, as “the parent of our people” who “built up the potentials for the country’s military and economic power.”

The rogue regime’s developing nuclear arsenal is at the heart of Kim’s 10-year rule, and he has referred to it as “a strong cherished sword” that deters US attack.

According to Seoul’s Unification Ministry, North Korea has conducted 62 rounds of ballistic missile tests, which are prohibited by various UN Security Council resolutions.

North Koreans have been banned from laughing for 11 days as the country commemorates the 10-year anniversary of the death of its previous dictator, Kim Jong Il. AFP via Getty Images

During Kim Il Sung’s reign, there were an estimated nine rounds of testing, while during Kim Jong Il’s reign, there were an estimated 22 rounds. Kim Jong Un was in charge of four of the six nuclear tests and three intercontinental ballistic missile launches.

On Friday, the government closely controlled various newspapers published articles glorifying Kim Jong Il.

“He is, without a doubt, the greatest man and the great sage of the revolution, whom all the people of this land follow with deep affection and devotion,” the ruling party’s Rodong Sinmun newspaper wrote.

Meanwhile, Kim is said to have forbidden locals from wearing leather coats to emulate his fashion choices.

According to RFA, real fashion cops have been patrolling the streets, seizing coats from merchants and residents wearing knock-offs.