The Bizarre Recipe for Survival: North Korea’s Heatwave Solution

North Korea’s state media has recommended dog meat soup as a cooling remedy amidst the severe heatwave gripping the Korean peninsula. Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of Kim Jong Un’s ruling Workers’ Party, advised citizens to indulge in this unorthodox dish along with other cooling foods like watermelon and cucumbers.

This is not the first time North Korea has promoted dog meat as a health food. For decades, Pyongyang has touted the dish through specialty restaurants and annual cooking competitions. However, the latest recommendation’s timing coincides with South Korea’s efforts to phase out the practice of eating dog meat entirely, following a 2024 law prohibiting its breeding, slaughter, distribution, and sale.

The persistence of promoting dog meat soup is puzzling, given that it is relatively expensive and beyond the reach of many ordinary citizens. Ri Chol, a former North Korean diplomat, noted that “dangogi” (the local name for dog meat soup) is popular among North Koreans but also pricey, mostly consumed on hot summer days to help fend off heat exhaustion.

South Korea’s experience with banning the practice offers a telling contrast. The implementation of this law has sparked controversy, but it also reflects changing values and attitudes towards animal welfare in South Korean society. In stark contrast, North Korea seems stuck in its culinary traditions, clinging to practices that are increasingly seen as barbaric by the international community.

The heatwave gripping both North and South Korea is a pressing concern, with daytime temperatures soaring above 40°C in parts of the region. The advice from Rodong Sinmun may have been intended to provide some relief, but it’s hard not to see this recommendation as a symptom of deeper issues plaguing North Korea’s society.

The country’s persistent heat reflects not just weather conditions but also crumbling infrastructure and inadequate living conditions that plague Pyongyang’s residents. The sweltering temperatures are exacerbated by the city’s dense population and lack of green spaces, making even basic measures to cope with the heat seem woefully inadequate.

As South Korea transitions towards a more humane approach to animal welfare, North Korea seems stuck in its ways, promoting a dish that is both expensive and exclusive. This raises questions about the country’s priorities and values, particularly when it comes to human well-being and animal welfare.

The sweltering summer heat may be a universal challenge, but how each society chooses to respond says a lot about its character and values. While South Korea moves forward with a more compassionate approach to animal welfare, North Korea seems stuck in the past, clinging to practices that are increasingly seen as barbaric by the international community.

As the heatwave shows no signs of abating, one can’t help but wonder what this means for the future of North Korean society. Will Pyongyang continue to tout dog meat soup as a health remedy, or will it eventually come around to adopting more humane and practical solutions? Only time – and perhaps some cooler temperatures – will tell.