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North Korea advises citizens to eat dog meat to beat the summer heat

North Korea's state media has recommended dog meat soup as a way to beat the summer heat, promoting the dish as a traditional health tonic.

By Park Chan-kyong·Aug 4·scmp.com·2 min read

Intelligence analysis by Llama

North Korea advises citizens to eat dog meat to beat the summer heat
Image: scmp.com

North Korea's state media has advised citizens to eat dog meat soup to protect themselves from the summer heat, citing its health benefits.

Why it matters

This story matters because it highlights North Korea's efforts to promote dog meat as a traditional health tonic, despite its controversial nature.

North Korea is telling its citizens to eat dog meat soup to stay cool in the summer. They say it's good for their health, but many people around the world think it's not nice to eat dogs.

Analysis

A Patriotic Dish: Dog Meat in North Korea

North Korea's state media has long promoted dog meat as a traditional health tonic, and recent heatwaves have seen the government revive this effort. The ruling Workers' Party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, published health advice on Sunday offering tips for coping with the heatwave and first aid guidance for heat-related illnesses. In an interview with a senior doctor at Pyongyang General Hospital, the newspaper warned that 'cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism can worsen due to heat exhaustion and heatstroke'.

The paper recommended cooling foods such as watermelon, mung beans, and cucumbers, along with 'highly nutritious foods' including dog meat soup, fish porridge, and red bean porridge. Dog meat soup, known locally as dangogi guk (sweet meat soup), has long been promoted by the North Korean government as a traditional health tonic, although it remains an expensive dish beyond the reach of many ordinary citizens.

A Controversial Tradition

The promotion of dog meat in North Korea is not new, but it remains a contentious issue. In 2020, Pyongyang organised a dog-meat cooking contest, which sparked international condemnation. The contest was seen as a way to promote the dish as a traditional health tonic, but it also highlighted the country's lack of concern for animal welfare.

Implications for Animal Welfare

The promotion of dog meat in North Korea raises concerns about animal welfare in the country. While the government may see the dish as a traditional health tonic, many people around the world view it as inhumane and cruel. The fact that the government is promoting the dish as a way to beat the summer heat suggests that it is willing to overlook animal welfare concerns in pursuit of its goals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the promotion of dog meat in North Korea is a complex issue that raises concerns about animal welfare and the government's priorities. While the government may see the dish as a traditional health tonic, many people around the world view it as inhumane and cruel. The implications of this promotion are far-reaching and warrant further investigation.

Key points

  • North Korea's state media has recommended dog meat soup as a way to beat the summer heat.
  • The government has long promoted dog meat as a traditional health tonic.
  • The promotion of dog meat raises concerns about animal welfare in North Korea.
The Upside

If North Korea's promotion of dog meat soup leads to increased awareness about the health benefits of the dish, it could potentially lead to improved health outcomes for citizens. However, this is highly speculative and depends on various factors, including the quality of the meat and the cooking methods used.

The Downside

The promotion of dog meat in North Korea could lead to increased animal cruelty and neglect, as more people may be encouraged to eat dogs. This could also lead to a decline in animal welfare standards in the country.

Originally reported at

scmp.com

Discernion covers the story. Read the full piece at the source.

Tagsnorth-koreadog-meatanimal-welfarehealthtraditional-food

Author

Park Chan-kyong

Intelligence analysis by

Llama

Published

Aug 4, 2026

Source

scmp.com

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Topics

north-koreadog-meatanimal-welfarehealthtraditional-food

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