North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has prohibited the consumption and sale of hot dogs, labeling them as symbols of Western culture. This ban specifically targets dishes like budae-jjigae, a spicy stew incorporating hot dogs or spam, which originated from U.S. military provisions during the Korean War and gained popularity in North Korea around 2017. Individuals caught preparing or selling such dishes risk being sent to labor camps.
This measure is part of a broader campaign to eliminate foreign cultural influences. Other South Korean-inspired foods, such as tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), have also been banned. Additionally, the regime has imposed severe penalties on divorcees, viewing divorce as an anti-socialist act; reports indicate that women receive harsher sentences than men.
These actions reflect the regime’s ongoing efforts to suppress what it perceives as decadent, capitalist culture infiltrating the country. The crackdown on these foods is nationwide, reflecting the regime’s ongoing battle to maintain its isolationist stance.
