- A heatwave in East Asia has battered Japan, South Korea and North Korea.
- Pyongyang is using the soaring temperatures as a propaganda opportunity.
- North Korean state media is showing off the country's beaches and water parks to woo tourists.
- The official newspaper of the Korean Workers' party has recommended that people eat dog meat soup to beat the heat.
- The Rodong Sinmun has urged citizens to fight soaring temperatures with 'cooling' foods like watermelon and cucumbers, plus 'highly nutritious' options such as fish porridge, red bean porridge, and dog meat soup, or dangogi guk.
- Pyongyang has long pushed dog meat as a cheap, readily available source of protein.
- The soup has long been touted by Pyongyang as a traditional health tonic, though one that a former North Korean diplomat says many cannot afford.
- It is mostly consumed on hot summer days to help fend off heat exhaustion, according to Ri Chol.
North Korea is facing a severe heat wave, prompting the government to recommend dog meat soup, known locally as dangogi guk, as a cooling remedy. The state-run Rodong Sinmun has highlighted this dish among other 'cooling' foods like watermelon and cucumbers to help citizens cope with the extreme temperatures.5
The heat wave has significantly impacted East Asia, affecting countries like Japan and South Korea. In response, North Korean authorities are leveraging the situation for propaganda, showcasing the nation’s beaches and water parks to attract tourists while simultaneously promoting dog meat as a cheap protein source.
According to the Rodong Sinmun, dog meat soup is not only nutritious but also a traditional health tonic, particularly beneficial during hot summer days to prevent heat exhaustion. However, a former North Korean diplomat noted that many citizens may find it unaffordable, raising questions about the accessibility of this recommended dish.478
As temperatures soar, the government’s push for dog meat soup reflects both a cultural tradition and a practical response to the ongoing climate challenges faced by the nation.
“State media is also showcasing beaches and water parks to woo tourists as Pyongyang turns the heat into propaganda. Former diplomat Ri Chol says the soup is 'mostly consumed on hot summer days to help fend off heat exhaustion,' though many cannot afford it.”
firstpost.com
