SEOUL, South Korea: As a severe heat wave grips the Korean Peninsula, North Korean state media have highlighted a range of foods, including dog-meat soup, as traditional remedies rooted in longstanding cultural beliefs about stamina in hot weather.

Temperatures in Pyongyang recently reached 36.7 degrees Celsius (98.1°F), marking the highest temperature recorded in the capital since weather records began. The extreme heat, combined with consecutive tropical nights, has drawn unusual attention in official coverage to the peak summer period known locally as sambok, or the dog days of summer.

In early August, the ruling party newspaper Rodong Sinmun cited medical advice from a doctor at a Pyongyang hospital, who recommended cooling foods such as watermelon, cucumbers, and mung beans, as well as more substantial dishes like fish porridge, red-bean porridge, and dog-meat soup.

Separate coverage in the same newspaper emphasized the cultural significance of dog-meat soup, describing it as a seasonal staple and referencing a traditional saying that elevates its perceived health benefits. Reports also noted that a national cooking competition centered on dog meat had taken place earlier in the year.

Other foods have also been promoted. The state-run Korean Central News Agency highlighted samgyetang—a chicken soup filled with ginseng, glutinous rice, and jujubes—as a popular option, with restaurants in Pyongyang reportedly drawing customers seeking relief from the heat.

Television broadcasts have supplemented these messages with practical guidance, including advice on staying hydrated, swimming safely, and managing outdoor activity during extreme temperatures.

While North Korea has not disclosed any figures related to heat-related fatalities, neighboring South Korea has reported more than 20 deaths linked to the ongoing heat wave.

Alongside health messaging, state media has reinforced its portrayal of leader Kim Jong Un as sharing in the hardships faced by the population. Coverage has shown past examples intended to illustrate his endurance in extreme conditions. One account described a summer visit to a construction site in 2013, where his clothing was reportedly drenched with sweat. When advised to avoid such trips due to the heat, he was quoted as saying, "even if the weather is unbearably hot, work that must be done for the people should be done."

Additional reports recalled other instances, including a 2018 inspection trip through mountainous terrain during heavy rain in search of a site for a hot-spring resort, as well as a visit to a pickled seafood factory during temperatures reportedly reaching 39°C, where he was depicted overseeing production conditions despite the oppressive heat.

Despite the extensive retrospective coverage, state media has not provided details about Kim's current activities during the ongoing heat wave.