Why North Korea ban laughing

 North Korea bans citizens from laughing, drinking alcohol, and showing signs of happiness for 11 days

Citizens of North Korea have been banned from laughing, drinking alcohol, and showing signs of happiness for 11 days.

This new directive is meant to be strictly followed as they mark the 10th anniversary of the death of former Korean leader, Kim Jong Il.

The former dictator ruled North Korea for 17 years— from 1994 to 2011.

On December 17, 2021, Kim Jong Il died of heart attack at the age of 69.

After his death, Kim Jong Un who is his 3rd and youngest son filled his shoes by taking over as the ruler of the country.

Now, after 10 years, North Koreans are been forced to stay away from any pleasure-driven thing to observe 11-day mourning period.

He was then succeeded by his third and youngest son, current leader Kim Jong Un.

Now, ten years after his death, North Koreans are being forced to observe the 11-day mourning period.

“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). 

The source added that North Koreans are not allowed to go grocery shopping on December 17 – the anniversary of Kim Jong Il’s death. 

They added: “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. 

“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 mourning period held every year for Kim Jong Il is usually 10 days, but this year it will be 11 days to mark the tenth anniversary of his death.