North Korea deals with intense heat wave as state media promotes coping strategies
SEOUL, South Korea — As the Korean Peninsula swelters through a heat wave, North Korean state media has touted everything from dog-meat soup to chicken broth as ways to cope, while portraying Kim Jong Un as a leader who endures harsh conditions alongside his people, reports BritPanorama.
State television reported Thursday that the temperature hit 36.7 degrees Celsius (98.1 degrees Fahrenheit), the highest since weather recordings began in the country. This extreme heat has been accompanied by a series of tropical nights, prompting state media to devote unusual attention to the hottest weeks of the year, known locally as sambok, or the dog days of summer.
Among the recommendations highlighted by officials is dog-meat soup, reflecting a cultural belief that it helps individuals withstand summer heat. In a health feature published on August 2, ruling party newspaper Rodong Sinmun quoted a doctor at Pyongyang General Hospital suggesting cooling foods such as watermelon, cucumbers, and mung beans, alongside “nutritious foods” like dog-meat soup, fish porridge, and red-bean porridge.
The newspaper went further by featuring dog-meat soup as a traditional summertime dish, reviving the old saying that “even if dog-meat soup spills on the top of your foot during the dog days of summer, it becomes medicine.” Additionally, a national dog-meat cooking competition was held earlier this year, reflecting the dish’s cultural significance.
Meanwhile, the state Korean Central News Agency also praised samgyetang, a chicken soup filled with ginseng, glutinous rice, and jujubes, reporting that restaurants in Pyongyang have been busy with customers seeking relief from the heat. Korean Central Television aired segments focused on managing health during extreme temperatures, offering advice on hydration and outdoor exercise.
North Korea has not released data concerning any heat-related casualties. However, neighbouring South Korea has reported over 20 deaths attributable to the ongoing heat wave. Alongside these health advisories, state media has reiterated Kim’s commitment to endure the same oppressive weather faced by ordinary North Koreans.
Recent reports revisited a 2013 summer inspection of a construction site where Kim was said to be soaked with sweat. When an official suggested he avoid such inspections during the heat, Kim famously replied, “even if the weather is unbearably hot, work that must be done for the people should be done.”
Another report recalled Kim navigating steep mountain terrain and a torrential downpour during a 2018 trip to find a site for a hot-spring resort, further underlining the narrative of a leader sharing the hardships of his people.
As the hot weather continues, state television has showcased packed beaches and swimming pools at Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, Kim’s flagship east coast tourism project. Reports have indicated that Pyongyang’s water parks are bustling with visitors seeking relief from the oppressive heat.
The absence of specific details about Kim’s own activities during the current heat wave raises questions about the state narrative’s alignment with reality.
