PYONGYANG — As an intense heatwave grips North Korea, state media has revived an unusual piece of traditional summer advice: eat dog-meat soup to help cope with the extreme heat.
The recommendation appeared in Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party, as temperatures in parts of the country are forecast to approach 40°C. The newspaper presented dog-meat soup, locally known as dangogi guk, alongside foods such as watermelon, cucumbers, mung beans, fish porridge and red-bean porridge as options for getting through the hot summer weather.
A Traditional Dish Gets New Attention
Dog-meat soup has a long association with summer in North Korea. The dish has traditionally been regarded by some people as a way to restore energy and combat the effects of intense heat.
According to the report, the tradition is connected to the belief that eating the soup during particularly hot days can help people maintain their strength.
However, there is no widely accepted scientific evidence showing that dog-meat soup provides special protection against heat-related illnesses. Its recommendation is therefore better understood as part of North Korea’s traditional food culture rather than an established medical treatment.
Heatwave Raises Health Concerns
The food recommendation comes as North Korea faces severe summer temperatures.
A doctor from Pyongyang General Hospital warned that extreme heat can be particularly dangerous for people with existing conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and hyperthyroidism.
The state newspaper also promoted foods and ingredients that are more commonly associated with hydration and light summer meals, including watermelon and cucumber.
The combination of traditional dietary advice and medical warnings reflects the country’s attempt to address the health risks associated with prolonged high temperatures.
Why Dog Meat Remains Part of the Debate
The story has attracted international attention not only because of the heatwave, but because dog meat remains a deeply controversial food in many parts of the world.
North Korea has continued to promote the dish as part of its traditional cuisine. The government has supported restaurants specialising in dog meat, recognised some regional preparations as cultural heritage and even held dog-meat cooking competitions in Pyongyang, according to the report.
At the same time, attitudes toward the practice have changed dramatically elsewhere on the Korean Peninsula.
North and South Korea Take Different Paths
South Korea has moved in the opposite direction.
In 2024, the South Korean government passed legislation banning the breeding, slaughter, distribution and sale of dogs for human consumption. The law includes a transition period, with full enforcement scheduled to begin in February 2027.
That creates a striking contrast: while South Korea is preparing to end the commercial dog-meat trade, North Korean state media continues to describe dog-meat soup as a traditional summer dish.
More Than a Food Story
The latest recommendation offers a glimpse into how traditional food practices can remain embedded in public life even as attitudes toward them change internationally.
For North Korea, dog-meat soup is being presented as part of a familiar summer food tradition during a period of extreme weather. For outside observers, however, the story also highlights the widening cultural divide between North and South Korea over the practice.
With temperatures nearing 40°C in some areas, the immediate concern remains the health impact of the heatwave. But the unusual dietary advice has ensured that North Korea’s traditional summer soup is receiving attention far beyond the Korean Peninsula.
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