**Dog Days Indeed: North Korea Prescribes Hot Dog Soup for Record Heat**
As the Korean Peninsula grapples with an unprecedented heat wave, North Korean state media has been actively promoting various traditional foods to help citizens cope with the soaring temperatures. Among the recommendations is dog-meat soup, a dish believed to provide relief during the hottest weeks of the year, known locally as sambok, or the dog days of summer.
On Thursday, state television reported that temperatures in North Korea reached a record high of 36.7 degrees Celsius (98.1 degrees Fahrenheit), marking the highest temperature recorded since weather observations began in the country. This extreme heat has been accompanied by a series of tropical nights, prompting state media to emphasize the importance of dietary choices during this challenging period.
In a health feature published on August 2, the ruling party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, highlighted the advice of a doctor from Pyongyang General Hospital. The recommendations included cooling foods such as watermelon, cucumbers, and mung beans, alongside more substantial options like dog-meat soup, fish porridge, and red-bean porridge. The newspaper dedicated a separate article to dog-meat soup, reviving an old saying that suggests even a spill of the soup can be medicinal during the summer months. Additionally, the report noted a national dog-meat cooking competition held earlier this year, underscoring the dish's cultural significance.
The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) also praised samgyetang, a traditional chicken soup filled with ginseng, glutinous rice, and jujubes, reporting that restaurants in Pyongyang have seen an influx of customers seeking respite from the heat. Alongside culinary advice, North Korean state media has aired segments focusing on health management during extreme temperatures, recommending hydration and outdoor activities such as swimming.
Interestingly, North Korea has not disclosed any information regarding heat-related fatalities, while neighboring South Korea has reported over 20 deaths attributed to the ongoing heat wave. This discrepancy highlights the varying responses to the heat crisis in the two Koreas.
In addition to health recommendations, state media has consistently portrayed Kim Jong Un as a leader who shares the hardships faced by ordinary North Koreans. Reports have revisited past instances where Kim endured oppressive weather conditions while overseeing construction projects and inspections. For example, a 2013 summer inspection was recalled, where Kim's clothes were reportedly soaked with sweat. When advised to avoid such strenuous activities during the heat, he insisted that “even if the weather is unbearably hot, work that must be done for the people should be done.”
Other articles have detailed Kim's determination during extreme weather conditions, such as traversing steep mountain terrain in a torrential downpour during a 2018 visit to scout locations for a hot-spring resort. However, there have been no specific updates on Kim's activities during the current heat wave.
State television has also showcased crowds flocking to beaches and swimming pools at the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, a flagship tourism project of Kim's administration. Reports indicate that water parks in Pyongyang are bustling with visitors seeking relief from the oppressive heat.
As North Korea continues to navigate this extreme weather event, the emphasis on traditional foods and the portrayal of Kim Jong Un as a resilient leader reflect the state's efforts to maintain morale among its citizens during challenging times.