North Koreans urged to beat heat with dog-meat soup

As the Korean Peninsula swelters through a heat wave, North Korean state media has touted everything from dog-meat soup to chicken broth as ways to cope, while portraying Kim Jong Un as a leader who endures harsh conditions alongside his people.

SEOUL, South Korea — As the Korean Peninsula swelters through a heat wave, North Korean state media has touted everything from dog-meat soup to chicken broth as ways to cope, while portraying Kim Jong Un as a leader who endures harsh conditions alongside his people.

State television reported Thursday that the temperature hit 36.7 degrees Celsius (98.1 degrees Fahrenheit), the highest since weather recordings began in the country.

With the accompanying string of tropical nights, state media has devoted unusual attention to the hottest weeks of the year, known locally as sambok, or the dog days of summer.

Among the more eye-catching recommendations is dog-meat soup, reflecting a traditional belief that it helps people withstand summer heat.

Kim Jong Un rides a tank driven by his teenage daughter