North Korea Banned Laughing, Drinking And Shopping For 11 Days To Observe Anniversary Of Kim Jong Un's Father's Death — Those Caught Were 'Taken Away And Never Seen Again'

In a move reflecting the government’s tight control over its populace, North Korea banned laughter, alcohol consumption and leisure activities for an 11-day mourning period two years ago. 

The directive, reported by Radio Free Asia and covered by Newsweek, was to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the death of Kim Jong Il, the father of the nation’s current leader Kim Jong Un.

The mourning period, which began on Dec. 17, 2021, was marked by stringent restrictions on public expressions of joy and personal freedom. 

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“During the mourning period, we must not drink alcohol, laugh or engage in leisure activities," an unnamed resident of Sinuiju, North Korea, was quoted as saying in the Radio Free Asia report. The severity of these restrictions was highlighted by the New York Post, emphasizing the regime’s demand for public displays of grief and respect for the former leader.

Kim Jong Il, who died in 2011, was a central figure in North Korean politics and the continuation of the Kim dynasty. His death anniversary is observed annually, but the 2021 observance was extended by one day to mark the decade since his passing. According to the Telegraph’s report, the extension of the mourning period underscored the regime’s dedication to preserving the memory of its past leaders.

These restrictions were not limited to emotional expressions. According to The Indian Express, grocery shopping was also banned on Dec. 17, the day Kim Jong-Il died. 

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The mourning rules were so stringent that, according to the same report, "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."

The consequences for violating these prohibitions were severe. Yahoo! News reported that residents who broke the rules risked arrest and could be treated as ideological criminals. “They were taken away and never seen again," revealed the unnamed resident, pointing to the potential dire consequences of noncompliance.

This 11-day period of mourning in North Korea is a reminder of the regime’s control over the most private aspects of its citizens’ lives, dictating not just public behavior but also personal emotions and activities. The intensity of these measures during such observances reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to solidify its ideological dominance and maintain a collective identity centered around the ruling Kim family.

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