North Koreans banned from laughing for 10 days to mark Kim Jong Il's 10th death anniversary

North Koreans have been banned from drinking alcohol, laughing, shopping for groceries, or engaging in leisure activities for 10 days to mark the 10th death anniversary of former Supreme Leader Kim Jong Il.

Citizens of North Korea have been banned from laughing for 10 days to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of former Supreme Leader Kim Jong Il. Thursday, December 17, marks the 10th anniversary of his death.

The ban on laughing is among several restrictions imposed on North Koreans to mark the occasion. North Koreans have been banned from drinking alcohol, laughing, shopping for groceries, or engaging in leisure activities, a resident of the border city of Sinuiju told Radio Free Asia.