Pyongyang: The North Korea government has banned its citizens from laughing, drinking and grocery shopping for the next 11 days starting Friday, to mark the tenth anniversary of former leader Kim Jong II’s death.
According to reports, the government authorities have ordered the public to not show any signs of happiness while North Korea commemorates his death.
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“During the mourning period, we must not drink alcohol, laugh or engage in leisure activities,” a North Korean from the northeastern border city of Sinuiju told Radio Free Asia (RFA).
Any violation of the ban during the mourning period will result in significant consequences. The offenders will be arrested, as happens every year, according to a resident.
“In the past, many people who were caught drinking or intoxicated during the mourning period were jailed and treated as ideological criminals,” an anonymous resident explained. Adding, “They were never seen again.”
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