North Korean officials promote dog meat soup as remedy for scorching summer heat
North Korea’s state newspaper advised citizens to consume dog meat soup as a nutritious way to cope with an intense heatwave.
As a severe heatwave pushes temperatures above 40 °C across the Korean peninsula, North Korea’s official newspaper Rodong Sinmun issued a health bulletin urging citizens to eat cooling and nourishing foods, including watermelon, mung beans, cucumbers, fish porridge, red bean porridge and the controversial dog meat soup called dangogi guk. A senior physician at Pyongyang General Hospital cautioned that heat exhaustion can worsen ailments such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hyperthyroidism.
The advisory revives Pyongyang’s long-standing promotion of dog meat, a costly dish that many ordinary North Koreans cannot afford. Former diplomat Ri Chol explained that the soup is traditionally served on sweltering days to help fend off heat fatigue. The Korean Central Broadcasting Station warned that tropical nights with temperatures above 25 °C will continue, and humidity will stay high, keeping the heat advisory active through the week.
Why it matters
The guidance highlights North Korea's reliance on traditional, costly foods to address public health during extreme heat, revealing cultural and economic challenges.
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