N. Koreans Who Didn't Cry At Kim Jong Il's Funeral Sentenced To Six Months In A Labor Camp

We would hate to see the penalty for smiling.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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In a story that should have any born-and-bred American saluting Old Glory with pride, MSNBC is reporting that the North Korean government has been sentencing any citizen caught not crying at Kim Jong Il's public memorial service to six months in a labor-training camp. These citizens were sent to these camps to be re-educated in the ways of their totalitarian government, or they were simply banished to rural areas away from the rest of the population. 

The Daily NK, a South Korean newspaper, is reporting that, "The authorities are handing down at least six months in a labor-training camp to anybody who didn’t participate in the organized gatherings during the mourning period, or who did participate but didn’t cry and didn't seem genuine.”

It's a well-known fact that North Korea isn't the cuddliest government on the planet, but these measures seem like they should be seen in a copy of V for Vendetta and not the real news. We're just glad we don't have these kinds of rules in America, or else the Nixon funeral would have ended with half the country behind bars.

[via MSNBC, The Daily NK

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