North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, has reportedly taken a stand against hot dogs, banning the popular food in an effort to curb Western cultural influence in the isolated nation. This latest move, reported by The Sun, marks a continuation of the regime’s stringent campaign to eliminate traces of capitalist culture among its citizens.
According to sources, Kim Jong Un has deemed the consumption and sale of hot dogs an act of treason. North Koreans caught cooking or selling the food risk harsh penalties, including time in one of the country’s notorious labor camps. The crackdown also extends to budae-jjigae, or “army base stew,” a fusion dish with American origins that has gained traction in both South and North Korea.
Budae-jjigae has an interesting history, originating during the Korean War in the 1950s when locals used leftover provisions from U.S. army bases—such as Spam and hot dogs—to create hearty stews. This spicy hotpot became a symbol of resourcefulness and cultural fusion in South Korea. It eventually crossed the border into North Korea around 2017, but it seems the regime now views its popularity as a cultural threat.
A vendor from Ryanggang province shared with The Sun that selling budae-jjigae has become impossible due to government restrictions. “The police and market management have said anyone caught selling it will be shut down,” the vendor revealed.
This isn’t the only controversial policy making headlines in North Korea. Divorcees are reportedly also facing severe punishments, with women often receiving harsher labor camp sentences than men for legal separations deemed “anti-socialist.”
On social media, the news of the hot dog ban has ignited a wave of humorous and critical reactions. One user quipped, “Becoming that fat without hot dogs is a legendary achievement!” Another joked, “He banned them so he can have them all.”
Others found a silver lining, with one commenter noting, “They will live longer without hot dogs,” while another dismissed the ban as insignificant, saying, “It’s not the healthiest thing to eat anyway.”
The ban on hot dogs and other fusion dishes like tteokbokki is part of a broader effort by the regime to suppress foreign influences and maintain control over North Korea’s cultural identity. Meanwhile, reports from organizations like Radio Free Asia indicate that such policies are further straining the lives of ordinary citizens, with stricter controls on food, family, and personal freedoms becoming the norm.
As the international community continues to watch developments in North Korea, many are left wondering how far Kim Jong Un’s regime will go to enforce its vision of a culturally isolated state. For now, hot dogs and fusion cuisine are just the latest casualties in a long-standing battle against Westernization.