For more than a week, North Koreans have been prohibited from drinking or smiling as the country mourns Kim Jong-II’s death.
North Korea’s former leader reigned from 1994 till his death on December 17, 2011. In honor of the late leader, Kim Jong-un’s government has asked citizens to refrain from showing any indications of happiness for 11 days.
North Koreans cannot laugh or drink alcohol during the national mourning period of Kim Jong-Il’s death.
“During the mourning period, we must not drink alcohol, laugh or engage in leisure activities”. One person from the northeastern border city of Sinuiju stated.
They further stated that on December 17, North Koreans cannot go grocery shopping.
Speaking to Radio Free Asia, the source added: “In the past, many people who were caught drinking or being intoxicated during the mourning period were arrested and treated as 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”.
“People cannot even celebrate their own birthdays if they fall within the mourning period.”
Cops are to keep an eye out for persons who don’t appear to be grieving appropriately during the mourning period. It is according to a source in the southern province of South Hwanghae.
They said: “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.”
They also said citizens groups and state-owned companies have orders to take care of those in poverty during mourning. The country grapples with a food crisis during it.
North Korea attempting to prevent information of public executions from reaching the outside world
It comes as a result of a human rights organization, The Transitional Justice Working Group’s efforts. It accused North Korea of attempting to prevent information of public executions from reaching the outside world.
They examined satellite footage and gathered testimony from witnesses to 23 public executions. It took place during Kim Jong-un’s leadership which began in 2011.
The TJWG released a report on Wednesday. It claimed that North Korean escapees reported executions carried out at tightly supervised facilities. Also, authorities kept a watchful eye to ensure no information got out.
They added, “In recent years, North Korea appears to be strategically selecting places away from the border area to carry out these killings.
“Monitoring and control of the assembled audience at these events is tightening to prevent information on public executions from leaking outside the country.”
“Our findings suggest that the Kim (Jong Un) regime is paying more attention to human rights issues as a response to increased international scrutiny.”
It also comes after the death of the younger brother of North Korea’s founder Kim Il- Sung’s.
The death of Kim Yong-Ju initially came on Wednesday by the official Korean Central News Agency.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent a wreath on Tuesday to convey great sorrow for Kim Yong Ju’s death. He is thought to have been purged from the leadership after a power struggle.
The news agency didn’t say when or how the former honorary vice-chairman of the Supreme People’s Assembly’s standing committee died.