Not surprised at all. We saw it when Jong-il died with the theatrical expressions of sorrow.
Countries like North Korea make any speculative fiction writer look silly. Reality outdoes fiction.
There is a documentary by Spanish journalists that shows the ridiculous extent to which blind veneration of a leader can take people.
In all dictatorships iconography is key. In Venezuela the abusive and imposing use of images from chavez, maduro and some historical figures was already getting to this level.
They combined this with religious impositions when they instituted Cuban Santeria as the revolution's official creed.
In public institutions it is obligatory to display portraits of at least chavez, maduro and Bolivar (intentional use of small letters in those bastards' last names).
When they realized that even their own people were voicing criticism in their workplace, they also instituted signs that read "aquí no se habla mal de chavez" (we do not badmouth chavez here).
Every time I go to a public institution I make sure I say something really offensive to their leader's alleged legacy.
I may die before I see what a free North Korea can be like. They are the most pathetic example of submission to a political, quasi religious ideology.