Grueling days of mourning await N. Korean citizens

By Lee Seung-joon

North Korean officials paid respects to the late leader Kim Jong-il, Monday, but the funeral proceedings for the “Dear Leader” have only just begun — especially for citizens in the impoverished Stalinist state.

As was the case when Kim’s father, country founder Kim Il-sung died in 1994, the country will observe 10 days of mourning through Dec. 29. If the isolated regime holds true to form, the average citizens could be in for a long haul.

According to the Korean Central News Agency, all organizations and citizens are to refrain from making loud noises during the period which wraps up with a funeral ceremony on Dec. 28 and memorial service in downtown Pyongyang the following day.

A government official here said North Koreans are also forbidden from engaging in entertainment, meaning they cannot sing, dance or drink alcohol. Institutions and businesses must fly their flags at half mast.

On the day of the memorial service, the entire population will observe three minutes of silence while busses, boats, trains and other vehicles will blow their horns to express sorrow.

“All organization across the country will carry out events to express their condolences,” the KCNA said.

But according to one defector, these requirements don’t end there as citizens are subjected to a grueling schedule of visiting memorial sites.

“During the mourning period of Kim Il-sung, civilians including myself had to follow a tight schedule to show respect and mourn in front of a statue for 10 days,” Kim Yong-gil, a defector executive director of People for a Successful Corean Reunification said.

“Although Kim Il-sung died in the summer, many had difficult time following the schedule. But it’s cold now and the citizens are going to have to stand out there for hours until the ceremony is finished. I don’t know how they’ll react.”

Some defectors did not expect the same outpouring of grief for Kim Jong-il that was exhibited when the country founder died.

“Most people will be happy. Obviously, they won’t be able to express this, but I am sure they are glad inside,” Ahn Chan-il, director of the World North Korea Research Center, said.

Pyongyang is expecting snow on Saturday and the temperature will reach as low as minus 12 degrees Celsius the day before the funeral according to the Korea Meteorological Administration.

The writer is a Korea Times intern.