North Korea’s Strategies to Battle Heat Wave
Seoul, South Korea — As temperatures soar across the Korean Peninsula, North Korea offers unique ways to address the heat. State media has highlighted dishes like dog-meat soup and chicken broth, portraying Kim Jong Un as enduring harsh conditions alongside his people.
State television reported temperatures reaching 36.7 degrees Celsius (98.1 degrees Fahrenheit), marking the highest since records began. The focus is on the intense summer weeks, locally dubbed as sambok, or the dog days of summer.
Traditional Remedies
Among notable recommendations, dog-meat soup features prominently. This reflects a traditional belief that such meals help withstand summer heat. A Aug. 2 health article in Rodong Sinmun, the ruling party’s newspaper, quoted a doctor from Pyongyang General Hospital. The doctor recommended cooling foods like watermelon, cucumbers, and mung beans, alongside ‘nutritious foods’ like dog-meat soup, fish porridge, and red-bean porridge.
A separate feature praised dog-meat soup, calling it a classic summer dish and echoing an old saying that even spilling it on one’s foot during the dog days turns it into medicine. Earlier this year, a national dog-meat cooking competition took place.
The state Korean Central News Agency recently lauded samgyetang. This chicken soup, rich with ginseng, glutinous rice, and jujubes, draws customers to Pyongyang restaurants seeking heat relief.
Health and Adaptation
Korean Central Television shared tips on health during extreme heat. Segments focused on hydration, swimming, and outdoor exercise. Despite outlining health measures, North Korea hasn’t released data on heat-related deaths. In contrast, neighboring South Korea has reported over 20 fatalities related to the heat wave.
Leadership in Heat
State media often emphasize Kim Jong Un’s willingness to endure similar weather conditions as the public. Rodong Sinmun revisited Kim’s 2013 construction site inspection. His clothes became drenched in sweat, yet he insisted, “even if the weather is unbearably hot, work that must be done for the people should be done.”
During a 2018 trip, Kim journeyed through steep mountain areas and heavy rain to locate a site for a hot-spring resort. Other narratives depict his summer visits to a pickled seafood factory, assessing production amidst high temperatures and prioritizing food quality and hygiene.
Though specific details on Kim’s current activities are scarce, broadcasts show packed beaches and swimming pools at the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, a key tourism project. Reports also mention Pyongyang’s water parks filled with visitors seeking respite from the heat.