North Korea BANS laughing, drinking and shopping

News from North Korea this morning is that Kim Jong-Un has decreed that all North Koreans be banned from laughing for 11 days.

This ban, reported by the New York Post, is to observe an 11 day mourning period, to commemorate a decade since his father Kim Jong-Il passed away on December 17, 2011. Grocery shopping is forbidden on the actual day of his death.

“During the mourning period, we must not drink alcohol, laugh or engage in leisure activities,” said a North Korean resident, speaking to Radio Free Asia in Korea.

“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,” the resident continued.

“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.”

Reportedly, North Korea’s heavily-controlled media all published stories praising Kim Jong-Il on Friday, December 17.

“He is, indeed, the greatest man and the great sage of the revolution all the people on this land follow with their deep affection and sincerity.”

Laughing, drinking and leisure activities are not all that have been banned of late. Kim Jong-Un has reportedly also forbidden citizens from copying his fashion style by wearing his statement leather jacket.

“Actual fashion police have patrolled the streets to confiscate the jackets from sellers and any citizens wearing any knock-offs,” reported the New York Post.