North Koreans urged to eat dog soup as record heatwave grips country

North Korean authorities have reportedly encouraged citizens to eat dog soup as the country battles an intense heatwave that has scorched farmland and overwhelmed hospitals.

The recommendation was published in the state-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun, which featured an interview with one of the country's leading doctors promoting the traditional dish, known locally as dangogi guk or "sweet meat soup."

According to the report, the soup is considered a highly nutritious meal believed to help people cope with heat-related illnesses, including heat stroke, cardiovascular problems, diabetes and hyperthyroidism.

The dish has also long been associated in North Korean culture with boosting the immune system and enhancing male virility.

Pyongyang is home to a well-known dog meat restaurant that specialises in the soup, with reports stating that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is a fan of the delicacy and has served it at official dinners and state events.

The advisory comes as the Korean Peninsula experiences its worst heatwave in more than a century, with both North and South Korea recording unusually high temperatures that have damaged crops and strained healthcare services.