North Korea’s Dog Meat Culture:‌ A Tradition of Controversy

Since the end of the Korean War in 1953, South⁢ Korea and North Korea have been divided for over 70 years, resulting in a significant gap in living habits,‍ language, and ‌food culture.‌ One notable difference is the consumption of dog‌ meat, which is prohibited in South Korea but remains a traditional delicacy in North Korea.

In January, South Korea‍ passed legislation to ban ​the consumption ⁤of dog ‌meat, with violators facing up to three years in prison. However, North Korea continues to promote dog meat⁤ as a healthy and nutritious‍ food option, with former⁤ leaders Kim Il Sung⁢ and Kim Jong Il encouraging its ​consumption.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the North Korean government⁤ held a⁣ national sweet meat cooking competition on Pyongyang’s Ryomyong Street from ‍July 22 to 25, featuring various dog meat dishes such as tonic soup, dog sauce ⁤soup, and stewed dog⁢ tenderloin.

The⁣ competition was hosted by the Central Committee ‍of ⁣the Korean Cuisine Association and included participation from several restaurants, including Pyongyang Sweet Meat Restaurant and Changgwang ⁤Service Management Office Sweet Meat Restaurant.

Dog meat has been a⁣ part of North​ Korean cuisine for decades, with cooking methods including stewing, cold mixing, ⁣pickling, stir-frying, and⁣ wrapping meat. In summer, famous dog meat restaurants in North Korea often ‍hold activities such as tasting sessions and‌ competitions.

Kim⁤ Il Sung and Kim Jong Il played a significant role in ‍promoting dog meat consumption in ‍North Korea. ​According to North ​Korean propaganda media, Kim Il‍ Sung suggested that people should be encouraged to ‌eat dog meat ‍and taught officials how⁢ to ​improve its taste. ‍Kim Jong Il also promoted ‍dog meat, ordering the ⁣construction of the Pyongyang Dog Meat Restaurant on Pyongyang‍ Tongil Street.

However, ​North Korea’s ​third-generation leader Kim Jong-un rarely talks directly about dog meat in front ‍of the media. Instead, he focuses on understanding the current operating conditions of dog meat restaurants‌ in Pyongyang and issuing instructions on meat quality management.

According to Yonhap News Agency, ⁤the ⁤North Korean authorities⁣ encourage people to‌ eat dog meat due to the lack of sufficient animal protein supply.⁢ Beef is rare ‌in North Korea, and pork is difficult to raise, making dogs a readily available source of ⁢protein in rural areas.

While South Korea’s ‍pet culture is popular, and young people rarely⁣ eat dog⁢ meat, North Korean youth generally‍ do not‍ feel disgusted by the culture of eating ⁣dog meat. A North Korean defector told Yonhap News Agency that dog meat is mostly regarded as a summer health food‌ or a way for patients‍ to get nutrition.

Kim Il-sung’s “Dog Lunch” for⁤ Zhou Enlai

According to a report ​by​ the British Daily ‍Mail, Kim Il ⁤Sung entertained Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai with an “all-dog lunch” in 1970, featuring dog blood sausage, braised dog meat, ⁤boiled dog meat, and dog⁣ meat soup.

North ​Korea continues to promote dog meat, with official media claiming that it is rich in vitamins and has a higher nutritional value than beef and chicken. However, some reports suggest that beating a dog to death ‌and peeling its fur before roasting can make it taste better, ⁢which is⁤ considered inhumane.

Despite the controversy surrounding dog meat consumption, North Korea remains committed to promoting it as a national delicacy and a source of pride.