Every so often I’m reminded just how thankful we should be that we do not live in North Korea.

Those of us who are Christians should remember to be in prayer for those who live in this country and who have been brainwashed by the regime of the leader of the Hermit Kingdom.

Kim Jong Un has felt that he has something to prove ever since taking over the country after the passing of his father Kim Jong Il back in 2011. Couple that with him being a young guy and only 27 years old when he became ruler and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.

The oppressive regime is horrible and we’ve seen that play out with ridiculous tales that almost seem like they would have to be made up had it not been for proof that they happened and people who have escaped the country to testify about these things.

Just recently Kim Jon Un has banned the citizens of North Korea from laughing for 11 days. That’s right. He banned laughing as well as leisure activities for 11 days which started on Friday.

North Koreans have been banned from laughing for 11 days as the totalitarian country commemorates the 10-year anniversary of the death of Kim Jong Un’s father and predecessor, Kim Jong Il.

“During the mourning period, we must not drink alcohol, laugh or engage in leisure activities,” a resident of the northeastern city of Sinuiju told Radio Free Asia’s Korean Service.

Even grocery shopping is banned on the exact day of the elder Kim’s death — December 17.

“In the past many people who were caught drinking or being intoxicated during the mourning period were arrested and treated as ideological criminals. They were taken away and never seen again,” the source told RFA.

“Even if your family member dies during the mourning period, you are not allowed to cry out loud and the body must be taken out after it’s over. People cannot even celebrate their own birthdays if they fall within the mourning period.”

Life in North Korea is a life of living on pins and needles if you’re fortunate enough to be in the higher class of people who don’t struggle for food. I pray that one day this dictator regime will be uprooted for good and I believe that this day will come at some point in the future. I just hope it’s sooner rather than later.