North Korea Urges Dog Stew Consumption to Beat Record Summer Heatwave

North Korea urges people to drink dog soup to beat record summer heatwave

August 4

As record-high temperatures rise across the Korean Peninsula, North Korean state media are urging people to drink dog soup to overcome the summer heat.

The ruling Workers' Party's Rodong Sinmun newspaper has recommended consuming cold foods such as watermelon, mung beans, and cucumbers, as well as nutritious dog soup, noting that the heat can worsen heart, cardiovascular, and diabetes conditions.

The dog soup, called "Dangogi," has long been promoted by the North Korean government as a traditional health-boosting food, but it remains too expensive for ordinary citizens.

The Pyongyang government has promoted Dangogi for decades, opening upscale specialty restaurants along the Taedong River and registering regional cooking methods as cultural heritage.

Furthermore, annual cooking competitions are held in the capital Pyongyang, elevating the role of dog meat by portraying it as a patriotic spirit of enduring the summer heat with resilience.

"Dangogi is a popular but expensive food in North Korea. It is mainly consumed during the hot summer days to build resistance against the heat," said Ri Cho, a former North Korean diplomat.

However, animal rights activist groups are strongly criticizing the killing and consumption of dogs as food, saying it is extremely cruel and should be permanently stopped.

This practice stands in stark contrast to South Korea's actions, which completely banned dog breeding, slaughter, and sales by law in 2024.

South Korea has provided a three-year grace period until February 2027, after which violators face up to three years in prison or fines of up to 30 million Korean won (nearly US$22,000).

Currently, both sides of the Korean Peninsula are experiencing temperatures ranging from 35 to 40 degrees Celsius, facing the most severe heatwave.

According to weather experts, Typhoon Dolphin, heading toward Japan, could bring more hot, dry winds, so temperatures are expected to continue rising.

Ref & Photo; Bangkok Post

MyoTaw News Channel