1776Reporting
North Korea’s strict regime has reportedly outlawed the consumption of hot dogs, marking another effort to block Western cultural influences. Under Kim Jong Un’s leadership, selling or even cooking the sausage is now considered treasonous. This development, reported by The Sun, aligns with the dictator’s ongoing campaign against foreign cultural infiltration.
Western Dishes Face Harsh Penalties
The ban stems from the rising popularity of budae-jjigae, a spicy Korean-American stew, which has gained traction in North Korea. This dish, also known as “army base stew,” features ingredients like hot dogs or spam and traces its origins back to the Korean War in the 1950s. Resourceful locals in South Korea initially created the dish using leftover meats discarded by U.S. soldiers.
While budae-jjigae became a symbol of survival in the South, its appearance in North Korea—decades later—has sparked outrage. Authorities reportedly banned the dish in 2017, but the crackdown has intensified in recent months. Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported in November that steamed rice cakes, or tteokbokki, another South Korean street food favorite, has also been outlawed.
A vendor from Ryanggang Province revealed, “Sales of budae-jjigae in the market have stopped. The police and market management have said anyone caught selling it will be shut down.” Those found in violation face harsh punishments, including imprisonment in the country’s notorious labor camps.
Divorce Crackdown Highlights Gender Inequality
The government’s grip extends beyond food. Recent reports suggest that divorcees in North Korea face labor camp sentences of up to six months for what the regime deems “anti-socialist acts.” Divorce, already heavily stigmatized, requires state approval, making separations nearly impossible for most citizens.
One woman, who served three months in a labor camp after her divorce, shared her harrowing experience with RFA. “There are about 80 women and 40 men imprisoned in the county labor training camp,” she stated. “About 30 men and women were imprisoned due to divorce decrees, and the women’s sentences were longer.”
This gender disparity reflects a broader pattern of inequality within the nation. Women reportedly endure harsher punishments than men for the same offenses, further demonstrating the oppressive nature of the regime.
Cultural Erasure Under Kim Jong Un
North Korea’s bans on hot dogs, budae-jjigae, and other Western-inspired dishes are part of a larger strategy to eliminate foreign cultural influence. By targeting food, the regime aims to curb what it perceives as capitalist corruption. At the same time, the crackdown on divorce underscores the government’s insistence on maintaining strict control over personal lives.
As these policies unfold, they paint a grim picture of life in the hermit kingdom, where even everyday choices—what to eat or who to marry—can lead to imprisonment.
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