North Koreans banned from laughing for 11 days. Know why

People pay respects before the statues of late North Korean leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il to mark the 10th year anniversary of the death of Kim Jong Il, on Mansu hill in Pyongyang. Pic/AFP

North Korea has banned its citizens from laughing, shopping, and drinking starting Friday (December 17) as a part of 11-day mourning on the 10th anniversary of former leader Kim Jong-il.

The government authorities have ordered the citizens to not show any signs of happiness, the Associated Press reported.

Kim Jong-il died on December 17, 2011, after having ruled the reclusive regime since the death of his father and national founder, Kim Il-sung, in 1994.

Kim Jong-un, the third son of the late leader, took over the helm of the North in another hereditary succession of power.

North Korea has been kicking up a commemorative mood ahead of the anniversary with a series of events touting the late leader and highlighting loyalty to the current leader.

In a front-page editorial, the North's main newspaper, the Rodong Sinmun, said the country should push ahead with efforts to accomplish the first-year goals of its five-year development plan unveiled at a January party congress under Kim Jong-un's leadership.

On Thursday, the North Korean Embassy in China held a memorial service to commemorate Kim Jong-il, stressing close ties between the two countries.