North Korea prohibits laughing and shopping for 11 days

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of Kim Jong-un’s death, Il’s North Korea has banned civilians from laughing, shopping, and engaging in other leisure activities for 11 days.

According to sources in the media, alcohol will be restricted throughout the mourning period, which is not a new tradition in the East Asian country; as such restrictions have been enforced previously.

According to a Hindustan Times report, quoting an unidentified North Korean citizen, “Many people who were caught drinking or inebriated under the ban were detained and handled as ideological criminals, and were never seen again.”

Citizens are also prohibited from celebrating birthdays or mourning the loss of a relative at this time. If someone passes away during the mourning period, their funerals are held after the period has ended.