Patricia Grisafi
On the 10th anniversary of Kim Jong-il’s death, citizens of North Korea will be forced to refrain from drinking alcohol, shopping, and laughing for an 11-day mourning period. According to Radio Free Asia, people must not “engage in leisure activities” and even cannot go to the grocery store.
The government normally enforces a ten-day mourning period, but this year it’s been extended by an additional 24 hours to mark the 10 year anniversary of Kim Jong-il’s passing.
An anonymous North Korean explained, “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,” the source added.
A second source, a resident from the western province of South Hwanghae, revealed that police were warned in advance to look out for people who don’t look like they are grieving enough: “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…”
The government will also get elderly military veterans to promote “Dear Leader’s” achievements.
To celebrate the life of Kim Jong Il, the government is tapping elderly military veterans to promote to the late “Dear Leader’s” greatest achievements and contributions to the country.
“The old soldiers’ lecture and propaganda team, made up of discharged military officers in their 50s and 60s, are visiting every factory, company and neighborhood watch unit to educate the people about Kim Jong Il’s hard work and dedication,” a third source said.
Kim Jong-il was the second supreme leader of North Korea from 1994-2011. During his rule, there was a famine from 1994-1998, which killed millions according to some estimates. He passed away at age 70. His son Kim Jong-un succeeded him.
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