North Korea Punishes 'Insincere' Mourners

Crocodile tears for Kim result in forced labor, source says
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 13, 2012 3:20 AM CST
North Korea Punishes 'Insincere' Mourners
If you can spot the faker, a career in North Korea's secret police could be yours.   (Getty Images)

North Koreans whose mourning of their Dear Leader lacked enthusiasm have been sent to join the 200,000 of their countrymen already in labor camps, according to Daily NK. The South Korea-based website, citing sources in the North, says people who either skipped mourning sessions for Kim Jong Il or didn't seem sincere have been sentenced to at least six months of forced labor, as have people accused of criticizing the dynastic succession system.

From morning until night, vehicles travel around broadcasting propaganda about the greatness of successor Kim Jong Un, a source says, describing a "vicious atmosphere of fear" at endless criticism sessions. North Korean authorities are likely to be on the lookout for insincere mourning for a long time to come: Kim's body will be on permanent display in Pyongyang. (More North Korea stories.)

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