North Korea Encourages Citizens to Eat Dog Meat Soup to Cope with Hot Weather

The Korean Peninsula is currently facing extreme hot weather. North Korean state media has subsequently recommended that the public consume dog meat soup to cope with the phenomenon. The recommendation to eat dog meat soup during hot weather was published in the official newspaper of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Rodong Sinmun. This advice is part of a health guide for the heatwave. Rodong Sinmun published an interview with a senior doctor from Pyongyang General Hospital. The doctor warned that high temperatures can exacerbate several diseases. “Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism can worsen due to heat exhaustion or heat stroke,” the doctor said. In addition to suggesting the consumption of dog meat soup, the newspaper recommended other nutritious foods. Dog meat soup, known as dangogi guk, has long been promoted by the North Korean government as a traditional food to maintain stamina during the summer. However, the dish is quite expensive and not easily accessible to all citizens. “Dangogi is indeed popular in North Korea, but the price is quite high. It is usually consumed in the summer to help prevent fatigue from the hot weather,” said Ri Chol, a former North Korean diplomat. The North Korean government has also long promoted the dish as part of its national culinary identity. Several restaurants specialising in dangogi, or dog meat, have been built along the Taedong River. In addition, several regional recipes using dog meat have been registered as cultural heritage. The government also regularly holds dog meat cooking competitions in Pyongyang.