Many wonder if North Koreans ' grief over the death of Kim Jong Il is genuine , says John Sifton . Others : How could anyone mourn the passing of such a gross abuser of human rights ? ( CNN ) -- In a totalitarian society , those who hate the regime are obliged to show it , he says . For many , to live in North Korea is to live in fear for one 's very existence , Sifton says .
Many wonder if North Koreans ' grief over the death of Kim Jong Il is genuine , says John Sifton . Others : How could anyone mourn the passing of such a gross abuser of human rights ? In a totalitarian society , those who hate the regime are obliged to show it , he says . For many , to live in North Korea is to live in fear for one 's very existence , Sifton says .