North Korea Promotes Dog Meat Soup During the Heat Wave

As record summer temperatures grip the Korean Peninsula, North Korean authorities are once again encouraging the consumption of dog meat soup, presenting the traditional dish as a nutritious way to cope with extreme heat.

North Korea promotes dog meat soup during the heat wave, reviving a long-standing tradition as record summer temperatures spread across the Korean Peninsula.

State newspaper Rodong Sinmun, the official publication of the Workers’ Party, has issued advice on coping with extreme heat and provided first-aid guidance for heat-related illnesses. Among the foods described as highly nutritious, the newspaper recommended dog meat soup—known domestically as dangogi guk—alongside fish porridge and red bean porridge.

North Korean authorities have long promoted dangogi guk as part of the country’s cultural heritage. Under the leadership of Kim Jong-un, the dish has continued to receive official support, setting North Korea apart from neighboring South Korea, where a 2024 law banned the breeding, slaughter, distribution, and sale of dogs for human consumption. The legislation includes a three-year transition period ending in February 2027.

In comments published by Rodong Sinmun, a physician at Pyongyang General Hospital warned that cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism can worsen because of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

The soup has been promoted for decades as a food believed to offer health benefits, particularly during the hottest days of the year. Speaking to This Week in Asia, former North Korean diplomat Ri Chol said dangogi remains popular in the country despite being expensive, adding that it is most commonly eaten during the peak of summer to help prevent heat exhaustion.

Pyongyang has also encouraged the spread of the dish through specialized restaurants and annual cooking competitions, presenting it as both a national tradition and a seasonal food suited to the summer months.

Both Koreas are currently experiencing an exceptional heat wave. North Korea is reporting tropical nights and forecast temperatures of between 35 and 40 degrees Celsius in several areas, while temperatures in parts of southeastern South Korea have exceeded 40 degrees Celsius.

According to meteorologists, Typhoon Dolphin, which is moving toward Japan, could even help sustain the unusually high temperatures. At the same time, two powerful heat domes surrounding the Korean Peninsula are expected to prevent the storm from bringing significant relief.

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