For one week, citizens should avoid celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and all kinds of entertainment as part of the celebration of the 11th anniversary of the death of former leader Kim Jong Il
North Korea is in seven days of mourning amid a period of forced mourning to mark the 11th anniversary of the death of former leader Kim Jong Il.
The government ordered its citizens to maintain an attitude of serious reflection on the life of the late “Dear Leader” and father of current leader Kim Jong Un, who died on December 17, 2011 by banning singing, drinking and celebrations.
The mourning period began on Wednesday and will end on December 20.
“You should never drink alcohol or engage in entertainment such as singing or drinking during your period,” a resident of the northern province of Ryanggang told Radio Free Asia’s Korean Service on Wednesday on condition of anonymity for security reasons. .
In addition, people avoid key life events on those days, such as coming-of-age ceremonies, weddings, funerals, according to the Daily Mail.
“The atmosphere of fear that controls and pressures residents will be strong during this time,” the source said. “If you don’t take care of yourself and you’re not careful during this time, you could be in serious trouble.”
Authorities also advised citizens to refrain from making political statements or any criticism of the government and threatened them that secret agents were on the lookout.
“Documentaries about Kim Jong Il’s achievements and his love for the people are being shown on television every day,” a second source said. “Various commemorative events such as museum visits, intensive lectures and memorial lectures are held all the time, but they always end with a theme of undying loyalty to Kim Jong Un,” he added.
Some of the events during Kim Jong Il’s mourning period are being held outdoors despite the cold. In South Pyongan province, north of the capital Pyongyang, residents were ordered to remain at memorial services throughout the day starting at 9am on Thursday. Temperatures ranged from -12 degrees Celsius to -2, the source told RFA.
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