North Korea has urged its citizens to consume dog meat soup as part of efforts to cope with an intense heatwave that has pushed temperatures above 40°C in parts of the country.
According to North Korean state media, the ruling Workers’ Party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, published health advice after consulting a senior doctor from Pyongyang General Hospital on how to stay healthy during the extreme weather.
The newspaper warned that conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hyperthyroidism could worsen due to heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Alongside cooling foods such as watermelon and cucumbers, the report recommended eating highly nutritious meals, including dog meat soup and fish porridge.
Dog meat soup, known locally as dangogi guk, has long been promoted by North Korean authorities as a traditional health food believed to help improve stamina and wellbeing.
However, the dish is reportedly too expensive for many North Koreans to afford.
The recommendation comes as North Korea experiences one of its most severe heatwaves in recent years. Some regions have recorded temperatures exceeding 40°C, while the capital, Pyongyang, has endured consecutive tropical nights with temperatures remaining above 25°C.
Neighbouring South Korea is also facing extreme heat.
Authorities there reported 19 heat-related deaths during the prolonged heatwave, prompting President Lee Jae Myung to order additional support for vulnerable groups.
The southeastern city of Yangsan recorded 42.5°C on Sunday, the highest temperature since modern weather records began. Other cities, including Daegu and Busan, have also experienced temperatures consistently reaching the high 30s.
More than 20 regions across South Korea are currently under emergency heatwave alerts, with weather officials urging residents to avoid outdoor activities, seek shelter in air-conditioned areas and stay well hydrated.
The extreme weather has also affected other parts of the world, with several countries experiencing unusually high temperatures during this year’s summer season.
