When the tearful broadcaster broke the news to North Koreans that their leader, Kim Jong Il, had died, the audience in the hall gasped. 

Then the hysterics began, along with the bawling and sobbing. 

"Father!" mourners cried. A wailing woman pounded her fist against her chest to signify heartache. Some appeared to go into physical convulsions. Other North Koreans sobbed so hard, they barely maintained their balance. 

"Our leader endured all the hardships," one mourner told state-run Korean Central News Agency in a televised interview. "I can't believe it. Our leader, he's still with us." 

Even the reporter holding KCNA's microphone bowed his head and trembled. 

In North Korean media videos viewed by CNN, people wept in fitful, theatrical proportions. Whether the mass grieving was genuine is up to debate. 

Cultures grieve differently. For instance, in South Korea, it's acceptable to express sorrow vocally, said Sung-Yoon Lee, a research fellow at the National Asia Research Program. 

But North Korea presents a unique case. 

"It's such a regimented, uniform society, people are conditioned from their early years to praise and adore their leader," he said. "The passing of their leader would be an indication to grieve properly so they are not to be stigmatized by failing to grieve properly. There are always people watching you -- if you are not devastated by the news, you may get in trouble." 

While some may exaggerate, for others the grief is authentic, Lee said. 

"I think there would be great deal of sincerity, because they're so programmed and conditioned and have an incentive to outperform their families, neighbors in grieving properly," he said. "North Koreans are raised to praise their leader, as are Christians for God. For North Koreans, it's part of the rhetoric to thank the fatherly leader. For them to learn the death of a near God-like leader, it certainly has an emotional reaction." 
What Asian country is this story primarily about?
Which of their leaders  is mentioned?
WHat heppened to him?
Who reported on it?
How did the people react to the news?
How can you tell?
Anything else?
Did the newsman remain composed?
WHat did he do?
Are these reactions sincere?
who tried to explain these reactions?
Who is he?
Where?
What explanation did he give for why some reactions might not be sincere?
What explanation did he give for why some reactions might be sincere?
Is it a diverse country?
Are there a lot of rules?
How do they feel about their leader?
What do they call him?
North Korea
North Korean
Kim Jong Il
North Koreans that their leader, Kim Jong Il
he died
 Kim Jong Il, had died
KCNA
KCNA's microphone
They were upset
Father!" mourners cried. A wailing woman pounded her fist against her chest to signify heartache.
A wailing woman pounded her fist against her chest
 A wailing woman pounded her fist against her chest
Some went into convulsions
Some appeared to go into physical convulsion
No
Even the reporter holding KCNA's microphone bowed his head and trembled
bowed his head and trembled
Even the reporter holding KCNA's microphone bowed his head and trembled
some were
 There are always people watching you -- if you are not devastated by the news, you may get in trouble." 

While some may exaggerate, for others the grief is authentic, Lee said. 
Sung-Yoon Lee
Cultures grieve differently. For instance, in South Korea, it's acceptable to express sorrow vocally, said Sung-Yoon Lee
a research fellow
Sung-Yoon Lee, a research fellow
at the National Asia Research Program
Sung-Yoon Lee, a research fellow at the National Asia Research Program
There are always people watching you -- if you are not devastated by the news, you may get in trouble
There are always people watching you -- if you are not devastated by the news, you may get in trouble
because they're so programmed
I think there would be great deal of sincerity, because they're so programmed
No
It's such a regimented, uniform society,
Yes
"It's such a regimented, uniform society
they adore him
people are conditioned from their early years to praise and adore their leader
Father
"Father!" mourners cried