Russian Embassy In North Korea Ignores Reports That Kim Jong-un Forces His People To Eat Pet Dogs

Ilustrasi (Unsplash / East Chafik)

JAKARTA - The Russian Embassy in North Korea has denied reports that North Koreans were forced to hand over their pet dogs to eat. The news originated from newspapers in South Korea (South Korea), Chosun.

The media reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un banned pet ownership because it was seen as part of bourgeois ideology. North Korean authorities view pet dogs as a symbol of decline for capitalists, the paper wrote.

"The authorities have identified households with pet dogs and forced them to hand over or confiscate them by force," wrote the Chosun Daily.

In addition, Chosun also wrote the move as a response to the food crisis in North Korea. Some dogs are sent to government-run zoos or sold to dog meat restaurants. The report, written by a former North Korean defector, was adapted by various media including in Britain.

However, the Russian Embassy denied the news. They accuse foreign media of spreading false rumors.

Launching SCMP, the Russian Embassy said that keeping pets is a fashion in Pyongyang. It is common to see dogs walking with their owners on the streets of Pyongyang and other cities in North Korea. Dog breeding came after Kim Jong-un identified it as a sign of modern society.

However, Russian embassy officials were recently told not to let their pets get out of the car when taking a walk in the park. But they said it was being done because of stricter rules aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19.

Old Traditions

It is known that eating dog meat is an old tradition in Korea. They usually serve this dish in the summer.

But that habit declined sharply in South Korea when raising animals including dogs became part of life. While the custom remains popular in North Korea, dog dishes are still widely served in many Pyongyang restaurants.

Allegations of the command to consume dog meat by North Korea strengthen, because it is reported that North Korea is experiencing a food crisis. This is because of the crop failure caused by the recent floods. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic factor and international sanctions on the country's nuclear program also exacerbated the totalitarian state crisis.

Meanwhile, state-controlled media are promoting the health benefits of dog meat. Claims that dog meat improves gut health and has a higher nutritional value than chicken, pork, beef or duck.