As of December 16th [KST], one day away from the third anniversary of former North Korean leader Kim Jong Il’s death, the atmosphere in the North was eerily dead with no major commemorative events planned, according to Daily NK’s sources within the country. Breaking expectations that Pyongyang would prepare a grand event to mark the occasion, muted events mourning the former leader’s passing are being held. 

“We’ve been told at work and by the Chosun Democratic Women’s Union that commemorations on the 17th will be held by families and at the workplace,” a source in Yangkang Province told the Daily NK on Tuesday. “I’m unaware of any large-scale events related to the anniversary taking place in Hyesan."

Instead of noticeable commemorative events, the country has been holding lectures, film and book studies, and singing sessions all emphasizing “Kim Jong Il patriotism” in its efforts to rally up loyalty from the residents. 

“Each inminban [people’s unit] and workplace has been instructed to clean snow from the Bocheonbo Battle Victory Monument and the Yeongsaeng monument [monuments dedicated to Kim Il Sung and/or Kim Jong Il, meaning ‘eternal life’ in Korean] so funeral wreaths or commemorative flowers can be laid, but other than that no other orders have been given,” he said. “Some people have said it seems a bit too quiet for the third anniversary.” 

“Last year, the Jang Song Taek incident broke out during the period of mourning, so rather than commemoration, a lot of it was focused on Jang’s acts of treason and pledging loyalty to the Marshal [Kim Jong Eun],” the source said. “This year, there’s no mention of Jang Song Taek, and it doesn’t seem like there will be a big event.” 

However the source did add, “Although an official period of mourning has not been announced, there were orders to step up security on the Bocheonbo Battle Victory Monuments and research centers on revolutionary history.” He explained that extra care was provided for guarding statues or research labs since the end of 2012, but that the atmosphere this year is “very different from back then.” 

Another source in North Hamkyung Province confirmed similar sentiments felt in the region. “There have been no special measures in relation to commemorative events,” he said. “We have been carrying out related studies, lectures, and visits to historical sites, but the focus has been more on getting results from local field guidance projects handed down to units by the Marshal rather than on mourning.” 

“Some residents have said that it is odd that things are so quiet with no major commemorative event,” he added. “Without there being a grand event planned by the [Party’s] central command, it’s hard to feel the atmosphere of mourning at markets and wherever we go.”

“On the day of, the central Party will probably hold a commemorative event, but it looks like the massive third-year ceremony that people expected will not be happening,” he explained. “Because of that, most aren't showing much interest in the matter.”